USFFL XX: Week 13

With four weeks to go, Week 13 saw several Division leaders extend their lead, while other Division races tightened up. Starting with the most interesting Division heading in to the final stretch, a loss by the Bears, coupled with wins by the Lions an Packers puts the NFC North in a virtual three way tie with all three teams holding 6-6 records. The NFC North is going to be an all-or-nothing battle as the 6-6 records place each team 2 games back in the wildcard standings. Week 13 also saw a big NFC South showdown with the Saints blowing out the Falcons 40-20 to even the top team’s records at 8-4. Things are much more clear in the AFC. Wins by the Patriots, Ravens, and Titans kept each of these teams in control of their playoff destinies.

Division Leads

AFC

East – Patriots by 3 over the Jets

North – Ravens by 3 over the Bengals and Steelers

South – Titans by 3 over the Texans

West – Chiefs by 1 over the Broncos

NFC

East -Cowboys by 1 over the Eagles

North – Three way tie Bears, Lions, and Packers

South – Tie between Saints and Falcons

West – Seahawks by 1 over the Forty-Niners

Week 14 Preview

San Francisco at New Orleans looks to be the game of the week. The Saints are hoping to establish some separation from the pack, while the Niners need a win to keep up with the Seahawks in the West. Dallas at Chicago, Detroit at Minnesota, and Baltimore at Buffalo also appear to be good matchups.

Game of the Week

USFFL: Bears QB Mitch Trubiski Throws for a first down

Chicago at Detroit

This game was for first place in the NFC North and with this Chicago win the Bears tied Detroit and Green Bay for first place as the Packers defeated the New York Giants this week. There is now a three-way tie with each team sporting a 6-6 record.
Turnovers play a significant roll in the outcome of this game. In the first quarter Danny Amendola fumbled a punt and Chicago took possession at the Detroit 8-yard line. On the first play Mitch Trubisky hit Tarik Cohen for an 8-yard TD pass. This was the first of 4 turnovers by the Lions. After a Matt Prater field goal, the quarter ended with Chicago up 7-3.
Bo Scarbrough opened the second quarter scoring with a 4-yard TD run. This made the score 10-7 Detroit. Chicago, on their next possession, went 62 yards in 11 plays with David Montgomery scoring on a one-yard run. Chicago now led 14-10. Chicago was ready to add to their lead when Chase Daniel, in for the injured Mitch Trubisky, was picked off by Tracy Walker who returned it 73 yards for the go-ahead TD. Detroit led at halftime 17-14.
Matt Prader added to Detroit’s lead in the 3rd quarter with a 26-yard FG. Chicago came right back going 72 yards in 8 plays with Cohen scoring on an 18-yard pass from Daniel. Chicago now led after three quarters 21-20.
Chicago finished the scoring with two 4th quarter FG’s by Eddie Pineiro to make the final 27-20.
Mike E. called a good game but got no help from Matt Stafford who only completed 15 of 34 passes with 3 interceptions. Detroit’s run game, however, sliced the Bear defense for 185 yards in 25 carries. Tarik Cohen led the Bears with 104 total yards with 59 of those coming on 7 receptions. Cohen also had two TD’s.
Next up for Detroit is a game at Minnesota while the Bears host Dallas. 

Weekly Leaders

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes continued his record setting season, throwing for 6 TDs and 398 yards. Jameis Winston was 37 for 50 and 394 yards.

Receivers

DeVante Parker and Luke Wilson each pulled in 12 receptions. Travis Kelce and Courtland Sutton each had 3 receiving TDs. Zach Pascal led all receivers with 167 yards.

Running Backs

Derrick Henry had 3 rushing TDs and 169 yards on the ground. Christian McCaffrey rushed for 213.

Odds and Ends

Justin Simmons had 2 interceptions. Aaron Donald and Linval Joseph had 2 sacks each.