Minnesota Vikings (7-8) – Detroit Lions (11-4): 24-30
They got there. Expected at the start of the season, the Lions finally got their hands on the NFC North division after 30 years of drought to qualify for the playoffs. Even if they played to scare themselves at the end of the game, the men of Detroit delivered a balanced copy in attack, and monopolized the ball for two thirds of the game. Opposite, the Vikings were very one-dimensional and as a result fell due to their quarterback's errors. With four interceptions on Nick Mullens' record, it's difficult to win the decision.
In the first period, despite different styles, the two teams produced similar results. A touchdown on the first offensive series, two turnovers (an interception against a fumble), turnovers canceled on review. The advantage is therefore decided on the details and the finish, and in this game it is the Lions who capitalize. Minnesota lines up the penalties, Nick Mullens (411 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT) loses the leather on a long pass attempt, tackles are missed, errors pile up. Despite a titanic drive from Justin Jefferson (141 yards, 1 TD), Detroit returns to the locker room with a 3-point lead.
The second half opens with offensive intentions. Following a touchdown for the locals by KJ Osborn (95 yards, 1 TD), Jared Goff (257 yards, 1 TD) responded with two fourth-down conversions and a score on Amon-Ra St Brown (106 yards, 1 TD) for regain control. And as Jahmyr Gibbs (100 yards, 2 TD) goes for his double, the visitors take the lead in the home straight. However, despite an interception, the Vikings held their destiny in their hands during the final minutes. In a bad position, it takes a miracle from Jefferson to keep the Violets' hopes alive. However, this will not be enough, since one last bomb from Mullens lands in the wrong hands. Game, set and match, Detroit can already think about the month of January.
Tennessee Titans (5-10) – Seattle Seahawks (8-7): 17-20
We had to wait until the end of the third quarter to see the Seahawks escape from the trap set by the Titans. While Seattle can still hope to qualify for the playoffs, victory was mandatory against an already eliminated contender. Yet the effort was made with pain.
Oppositions of style between the two opponents of the evening: when Geno Smith throws for 227 yards, it is Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears who combine for 130 yards on the ground (Ryan Tannehill only passes for 152 yards). Ultimately, the difference comes down to the defense of Pete Carroll's men and the complementarity of his corps of receivers. Without putting up stratospheric numbers Tyler Lockett (81 yards), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (61 yards) and DK Metcalf (56 yards, 1 TD) had their evening. But above all the defense produced 6 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 3 broken passes. Not flamboyant, but sufficient.
Houston Texans (8-7) – Cleveland Browns (10-5): 22-36
The Texans' good times are behind them. The surprise team of the season, deprived of its star quarterback, can no longer do it. Unable to score offensive points in the first half (the only touchdown scored was on a restart), Houston was always in the rearview mirror of a Cleveland team which was never worried.
It must be said that with Amari Copper outing 265 yards receiving for 2 touchdowns, the Browns were able to afford to slow down at the end of the game, once the scoreboard showed 36 to 7. And despite 2 interceptions (including one at the very end of the first half, just before returning to the locker room) Joe Flacco (368 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) once again played a convincing game for Cleveland. The end of the season is going to be exciting in the AFC North.
Atlanta Falcons (7-8) – Indianapolis Colts (8-7): 29-10
Bad operation for the Colts. Still in the race for the playoffs, the Indiana men fell against the Falcons who were constantly surprising and capable of anything. On the Georgian side, the men of the match are Kyle Pitts (49 yards, 1 TD) and Tyler Allgeier (88 yards, 1 TD), but above all Bijan Robinson who was decisive on the ground and in the air (72 yards rushing, 50 yards receiving). The defense also had its say, producing 6 sacks, 6 broken passes and 8 tackles for loss.
The Colts start the game well, with a drive that goes all the way to a touchdown, but after that, nothing. In the first half the punts continued, in the second half the forced return attempts failed, and Gardner Minshew (201 yards, 1 INT) could not find the solution. On the other hand, Taylor Heinicke (229 yards, 1 TD) does not have to force his talent. The five field goals scored on offense did the job, and the Falcons were never worried.
Carolina Panthers (2-13) – Green Bay Packers (7-8): 30-33
It's no longer a surprise, the Packers have defensive problems. They are also crumbly in the face of adversity. Leading by two scores at the break, one might have thought they would take an easy victory against the worst team in the league. However, Green Bay let Carolina come back in the second half only to be forced to win with a meager field goal in the final minutes.
Facing a Bryce Young (312 yards, 2 TD) who made no mistakes and who knew how to find his playmakers DJ Chark (98 yards, 2 TD) and Adam Thielen (94 yards), Jordan Love (219 yards , 2 TD) was able to count on a big performance from Aaron Jones (135 yards). So indeed the victory is at the end, but this outing is not convincing for the men of Wisconsin as the last weeks of the regular season loom. If the cheese heads want to validate their ticket to the post-season, they will have to do better.
New York Jets (6-9) – Washington Commanders (4-11): 30-28
The Commanders can blame themselves. After a disastrous start to the game (an interception from the start, then a blocked punt, a fumble lost on a restart, 3 scores behind after five minutes of play), they were not able to win while they had regained control of the game 5 minutes from time. All this to lose by 2 points against the Jets who only managed to produce a field goal in the second half. A new disappointment for Washington.
Jacoby Brissett took over from Sam Howell after 2 thrown interceptions, and the defense did not find a solution to stop a Breece Hall on fire (95 yards rushing, 96 yards receiving). Yet the opportunity was there, with Trevor Siemian (217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 FL) who showed that he is no more the solution in New York than Zach Wilson.
