Top Stories Of NFL Week 14
The regular season is winding down and the tension is getting high.
Playoffs scenarios are beginning to take shape as teams scrap for the six slots.
Here’s a look at some of the top stories from another exciting week of action.
PANTHERS POUNCE ON STREAK
The Minnesota Vikings came into the game riding an 8-game winning streak, tied for the best record in the NFL, but the Panthers ended all of that with a 31-24 victory. And thanks to a Falcons victory over the Saints on Thursday Night Football, Carolina is now tied for first in the highly competitive NFC South. Atlanta, New Orleans, and Carolina all have a chance at the division title with only three games to play.
BUCS WALK THE PLANK
Tampa Bay came into the season with playoff aspirations, but the team has completely gone in the tank. The Buccaneers fell to 4-9 after a 24-21 home loss to the Lions. Detroit’s Matthew Stanford was questionable to play with a severe injury to his throwing hand, but he played, and might’ve delivered a final blow to the current Tampa Bay regime. Head coach Dirk Koetter is likely on his way out, and there are growing concerns that starting quarterback Jameis Winston may not be the answer.
BENGALS TAMED
Speaking of regimes possibly on the way out, Marvin Lewis and quarterback Andy Dalton could both finally be done in Cincinnati after an embarrassing 33-7 home loss to the struggling Bears, who might have a lame-duck head coach of their own. Despite home-field advantage and significantly more experience, Dalton was badly outdueled by rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in a disastrous loss for the franchise.
BROWNS ARE BLUE
Speaking of disasters, the Cleveland Browns drew one game closer to pulling off the ignominious feat of going winless. Despite holding a 21-7 lead at home against a struggling backup quarterback, the Browns lost 27-21 to the Packers in overtime and fell to 0-13. The win keeps the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning for Green Bay on the table. As for the Browns, if they fail to eke out a win in the final three weeks, Cleveland fans have already planned to carry out a parade to “celebrate” their 0-16 record.
EAGLES PICK OFF RAMS
In one of the biggest and most exciting showdown games of the season, the Eagles topped the Rams 43-35 in Los Angeles. The matchup featured two division leaders and the first two picks in the 2016 NFL draft, the Rams’ Jared Goff and the Eagles’ Carson Wentz. The seesaw game ended on a bittersweet note for Philadelphia because MVP-candidate Wentz left the game with a knee injury and didn’t return. There’s speculation he suffered a torn ACL. If so, that would be a devastating blow to what has been a magical season for the Eagles.
SHAMELESS IN SEATTLE
The upstart Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a thrilling 30-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but the game was overshadowed by an incredibly ugly finish to the game. While Jacksonville was in victory formation, Seattle got over-aggressive in trying to force a fumble, and this happened:
Jose Ocasio on Twitter
Seattle acting like poor losers out here. @NFL @ESPNNFL @Seahawks @Jaguars https://t.co/5kee8LVDex
One of the players got ejected, then this happened:
Emmanuel Acho on Twitter
Man i wish there were no stands in the way for this one.. 🍿🍿🍿 #Jaguars #Seahawks https://t.co/zZTgaPJEdt
Really bad look for the Seahawks and the NFL as a whole. The last thing the league needs is more bad press.