We are fast approaching the home stretch of Season 22 so it’s time to start looking at playoff qualifications and win / loss implications. While no teams have qualified for the playoffs, two teams are very close with Green Bay and New England both having a magic number of 1. Next closest is Los Angeles (AFC) which needs a combination of 3 wins or 3 losses by the two second place teams in the AFC West (Las Vegas and Denver). Seattle continues to hold a commanding lead in the NFC West with a record of 10-2. Three Divisions are shaping up to interesting playoff races: AFC North, NFC East, and NFC South. In the AFC North, Cleveland (6-5-1) holds a 1/2 game lead over Cincinnati (6-6) by virtue of Cleveland’s tie game. Baltimore is 1 game behind with a 5-7 record. In the NFC East, New York and Dallas are tied at 7-5, Philadelphia is just behind with a record of 7-6. Washington is right there with a record of 6-6. And finally, in the NFC South, Atlanta (7-4-1) holds a 1.5 game lead over Tampa (6-6). Key wins in week 13 include Tampa Bay’s win over Atlanta to keep the Bucs close to the Falcons for the NFC South division lead. New York (NFC) defeated Miami 24-17 to maintain their lead in the NFC East.
Tim and Anthony put together a great playoff race broadcast. Check it out here:
Game of the Week
Los Angeles Chargers 30, Cincinnati Bengals 27
Behind a mix of running and passing, the Chargers built a 30-17 fourth quarter lead that left the Bengals with insufficient time to complete a comeback.
The Bengals settled for a 4th quarter field goal with 9:00 left to cut the lead to 30-20. After a brief Chargers possession, Cincinnati drove the length of the field before Joe Burrow threw an interception in the end zone. After a Chargers punt, the Bengals converted a 29-yard mini-Hail Mary for a score with 8 seconds left to make the score 30-27. The Chargers recovered the onside kick with 1 second left and then took a knee.
The Chargers’ built their lead behind receivers Jalen Guyton and Mike Williams who combined for 4 long gain receptions on long passes, with one called back on a penalty. Utilizing the away long gain chart, none went for more than 32-yards; but there were no complaints from the Chargers staff regarding the rolls. The Bengals lost their 5-rated SCB in the first half, leaving one of the deep threats covered by a 0 defender.
The long passing was complemented with running from Austin Ekeler who, other than on one occasion, was fortunate to avoid the 1-white-die out of the 3WR formation. Ekeler ran for 103 yards on 16 carries and a score. Los Angeles punt returner Andre Roberts hit a long gain on the Bengals’ coverage, 12-roll and found a better LG number as he scampered 67-yards to the 7-yard line setting up a Chargers touchdown.
Behind a banged up offensive line with the Chargers ears-pinned back given their lead, the Bengals Joe Burrow stared down the pass rush and threw for 360-yards and 3 scores.
The win brings the Chargers’ record to 9-3. LA heads home to face the New York Giants next week. The Bengals fall to 6-6 and with the loss fall out of the lead in the AFC North. The idle Cleveland Browns hold a 6-5-1 record. Cincinnati hosts San Francisco next week.
Weekly League Leaders
Quarterback – Joe Burrow 33/44 360 yards and 3 TDs
Receiver – Dallas Goedert 11 receptions, 110 yards and 1 TD
Running Back – Antonio Gibson 4 rushing TDs
USFFL Broadcasts
Week 14
I am looking forward to the Baltimore vs. Cleveland, Dallas vs. Washington, and Buffalo vs. Tampa Bay games this week.