110. WEEK 8: Saints: 52, Giants 49
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You can call this game ugly, sloppy, a
poor show of defense and an example of how the NFL has become an offense happy
league. I don’t care. This game was exciting, captivating, and one of my
favorite games to watch all year. Brees and Manning combined for a 69
completions on 91 passing attempts, 13 TD’s and 855 yards. What more could you
want in a modern day football game?
9. WEEK 7: Redskins 31, Buccaneers 30
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With 8:19 left in the second quarter, Howard Jones returned a fumble for a touchdown to put the Bucs up
24-0. The game was a rout and everyone outside of D.C. and Tampa had turned the
game off (if they had it on in the first place). Redskins QB Kirk Cousins then
threw three TD’s in the second half, including the game winner to Jordan Reed
with 24 seconds left, staging the largest comeback in Redskins history. How do
you feel about that Kirk?
8. WILD CARD WEEKEND: Steelers 18, Bengals
16
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Leading 15-0 heading to the fourth
quarter, it looked like the A.J. McCarron-led Bengals couldn’t move the ball
past midfield. Thirteen minutes later, A.J. Green caught a 25-yard strike to
put the Bengals up a point. Although the two-point conversion failed, Cincinnati
was still up a point and a Big Ben-less Pittsburgh would have to drive the
length of the field. Backup Landry Jones took the field and threw an
interception on the first pay of the drive, and the Bengals defense ran off the
field to start the celebration.
On the very next play, Jeremy Hill
fumbled, Pittsburgh recovered, the defense has to come back from the tunnel, and
Big Ben returns. He then led a nine-play, 74-yard drive for the game winning
field goal, sending Cincinnati home in the first round once again.
7. WEEK 6: Panthers 27, Seahawks 23
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A 4-0 Carolina Panthers came to Century
Link field looking to finally prove themselves against a high caliber team.
After struggling through three quarters, the Panthers put together a fourth
quarter that would come to define their season. The Carolina defense forced
three punts on Seattle’s final four drives, and Cam Newton lead the Panthers
down the field in back-to-back 80-yard drives, capped off with a 26-yard TD to
Greg Olsen with 32 seconds left to take the lead, and ultimately the game.
6. WEEK 13: Packers 27, Lions 23
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What more do you need to know?
5. AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Broncos 20, Patriots 18
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Anytime Brady and Manning grace the same
field, you know you’re in for a classic. We were not disappointed. In their
second match-up of the year, we were shown for the last time why anyone lucky
enough to watch these two field generals are part of the luckiest fans in
history. I just wish Brady would’ve made one more great play, so we could’ve
seen one last OT between the legends.
4. WEEK 12: Broncos 26, Patriots 20 (OT)
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People circled this game on their
calendar months in advance as possibly the last time we’d see Manning vs.
Brady. Funny that it wasn’t their last match-up, A) because they played later
in the year and B) because Manning didn’t play. Yet, it was still one of the
best games of the season. Osweiler led the Broncos to 17 straight fourth quarter points to take a three point lead after trailing the entire game. Brady
then staged a 51-yard drive in 69 seconds to force OT, before C.J. Anderson
shocked everyone with a 48-yard TD run to deny Brady an opportunity to win the
game.
3. WEEK 12: Seahawks 39, Steelers 30
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| (photo credit: bleacherreport.com) |
One of the greatest fourth quarters I’ve ever witnessed. This was Russell Wilson vs Big Ben, making great
throw after great throw. Neither defense was giving an inch, yet these two
shredded the defense with long, arching throws that couldn’t have been placed better
if they had handed it to their receivers.
Four TD’s were scored in the quarter averaging four plays in those
drives and 47 yards per touchdown.
2. WEEK 10: Patriots 27, Giants 26
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| (photo credit: bleacherreport.com) |
There’s something about a Brady-Manning
match-up, and it doesn’t seem to matter what Manning. This was the highest
quality game from start to finish of the entire season. Every play seemed
important. Every down mattered. Every yard was valued. The Giants always find
that extra level for Bill Belichick and the Pats, and this game was every bit as
good as either Super Bowl. The only difference this time around was that the
Giants late game woes once again proved to be too much to overcome.
1. DIVISIONAL ROUND: Cardinals 26, Packers
20 (OT)
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Two Aaron Rodgers hail mary’s, one from his own endzone on fourth down and one as time expires, both rolling the wrong way and throwing off his
back-foot, might mark the most improbable game tying drive of the decade. And
to have Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald lead the Cardinals right back down
the field in three-plays marks the quickest emotional shift from highest of
highs to lowest of lows in the NFL this season.
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