Panthers 10-17 Seahawks 6:02, 4th quarter
Seattle pick up a huge 1st down on 3rd and long as Darnold hits Smith-Njigba for an 11-yard gain. They then hook up again on a beautiful bit of play action, the QB wheels around and just evades the defender to unleash a fastball straight into JSN’s grasp for 17 yards. About 10 yards to go for the score.
Browns 10-6 Steelers 4:54, 4th quarter
Can I shock you? Pittsburgh have punted.
Panthers 10-17 Seahawks 9:46, 4th quarter
Carolina are roaring back as they sack Darnold. The QB evades one defender but in doing so runs into the arms of DJ Wonnum. Seattle then pick up a delay of game penalty amid the wild noise in Carolina. The fans know this is crucial with Tampa Bay losing. 21 yards for Seattle to get a massive 1st down. Oh MY!!! A defender pokes Jaxson Smith-Njigba in the eye and gives away the personal foul! 1st down Seattle. Unreal. That would have been a punt and now Seattle have the ball across midfield.
Browns 10-6 Steelers 7:41, 4th quarter
Can Aaron Rodgers do anything with his rum bunch of receivers? Hasn’t so far: 17/27 for 110 yards, no scores, no picks. Gross.
Browns 10-6 Steelers 7:41, 4th quarter
Pittsburgh pressure Sanders on 2nd down and almost find a huge sack. They quickly bring down Dylan Sampson to bring up a big 3rd down. The Steelers get the stop and the Browns are punting. AGAIN!
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 10-42 Patriots 14:51, 4th quarter
B Hall rush for 59 yards
Wow. Bit of complacency potentially from New England. Not that it will hurt them here.
Panthers 10-17 Seahawks 13:47, 3rd quarter
B Young rush for 11 yards
The quarterback takes it on himself to slash into the end zone. Seattle throw a blanket over his receivers and he says “sod it” and sprints home. Nice.
Browns 10-6 Steelers 9:44, 4th quarter
On 3rd down Rodgers throws one away just to avoid a sack from Myles Garrett. Is that playing for a Pittsburgh win? Not sure. The Steelers punt AGAIN.
Fourth-quarter scores
Carolina Panthers 3-17 Seattle Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals 37-7 Arizona Cardinals
Cleveland Browns 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts 17-17 Jacksonville Jaguars
Miami Dolphins 20-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets 3-42 New England Patriots
Tennessee Titans 23-20 New Orleans Saints
15 minutes remain and Tampa Bay will be thrilled with Seattle taking over in Carolina. If the Panthers win and the Bucs lose the NFC South title would go the former’s way but it looks like we are going to a decider next week between these two rivals.
Meanwhile, Joshua Dobbs is in for Drake Maye for the Patriots.
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PICK! Browns 10-6 Steelers 12:11, 4th quarter
Shedeur Sanders throws up a long pass to Jerry Jeudy and Kyle Dugger picks it off! New life for the Steelers who take over at their 34-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 37-7 Cardinals 1:38, 3rd quarter
C Brown rush for one yard
The mauling continues.
Browns 10-6 Steelers 12:53, 4th quarter
In all the chaos in Carolina I have completely taken my eye off Cleveland. Turns out nothing has happened. The drive chart since half-time reads: Punt, Punt, Missed field goal for Pittsburgh.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 17-14 Jaguars 5:58, 3rd quarter
P Rivers to M Alie-Cox for five yards
Old man Rivers puts the Colts ahead again! Class proving to be permanent for the 44-year-old who is 13/23 for 107 yards and one touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-17 Seahawks 5:32, 3rd quarter
S Darnold to AJ Barner for 17 yards
Seattle punish Carolina’s error again as Darnold fakes the hand off, wheels around and hits his tight end AJ Barner for the score. Not a defender in sight. Easy as you like. The Panthers in deep trouble.
PICK! Panthers 3-10 Seahawks 7:29, 3rd quarter
Remember what I said about Seattle’s defense? Julian Love jumps the route to take the pick. Seahawks driving inside the 30-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 30-7 Cardinals 7:33, 3rd quarter
C Brown rush for six yards
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 3-42 Patriots 8:16, 3rd quarter
D Maye to E Chism for 10 yards
Maye with five touchdown passes now. Maybe time to put the backup in with the playoffs calling.
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TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-10 Seahawks 8:45, 3rd quarter
Z Charbonnet rush for two yards
The running back smashes in at the third time of asking to give Seattle the lead. They capitalise on the fumble and the excellent field position. Interesting to see if Carolina can find anything now against Seattle’s suffocating defense.
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TOUCHDOWN! Colts 10-14 Jaguars 7:26, 3rd quarter
T Lawrence rush for six yards
The quarterback is doing it by himself as he rushes for his second score and puts the Jags ahead for the first time.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 20-17 Saints 10:34, 3rd quarter
T Shough to C Olave for 19 yards
FUMBLE! Panthers 3-3 Seahawks 11:55, 3rd quarter
What is happening?! On the very next play Bryce Young hands it off to Chuba Hubbard who fumbles! Seattle run it in for a touchdown but the score is ruled out as DeMarcus Lawrence is ruled down by contact.
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PICK! Panthers 3-3 Seahawks 12:06, 3rd quarter
Oh, Sam. A risky pass into the end zone is punished by an interception. He overthrows his receiver straight into the arms of Mike Jackson. But is the defender’s foot out of play? The refs say no despite it looking like his foot was out of bounds.
That play was set up by beautiful feet from Zach Charbonnet gets Seattle in the red zone. The running back finds the edge and cuts back sharply through the gap to find a 29-yard gain.
Browns 10-6 Steelers 12:08, 3rd quarter
Hilarious play to start the half as Aaron Rodgers takes a hit and pops the ball into the air but it miraculously falls into Jonnu Smith’s hands. They then fumble again on the next play and recover it again this time Valdes-Scantling coughs it up. Next Rodgers throws a bad ball and that is three and out. Punt.
Half-time
Carolina Panthers 3-3 Seattle Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals 23-7 Arizona Cardinals
Cleveland Browns 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts 10-7 Jacksonville Jaguars
Miami Dolphins 17-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets 3-35 New England Patriots
Tennessee Titans 20-10 New Orleans Saints
A defensive classic is brewing in Carolina. Seattle have 41 yards passing to Carolina’s 16 yards through the air. Whichever defense tires first could give the game away.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 20-10 Saints 0:13, 2nd quarter
C Ward to E Ayomanor for seven yards
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 3-35 Patriots 0:31, 2nd quarter
D Maye to H Henry for 13 yards
What a half for the second-year QB. Maye is 17/19 for 229 yards and four touchdowns. Massive numbers.
Panthers 3-3 Seahawks, half-time
Chaos is still raining down in Carolina as Seattle completely fluff their drive. They get lucky with what looked like an incompletion being called a catch so they were in field goal range. They rush the 4th and 1 play so the refs don’t review the play but then don’t get the yard they need for the 1st down. Confused? Yep, me too.
It’s GOOD! Browns 10-6 Steelers, half-time
C Boswell 40 yard field goal
Pittsburgh will be unhappy with how the half has gone but get a vital set of three points. They will take over on offense in the second half so have a shot at coming out and taking a lead now.
Panthers 3-3 Seahawks 1:18, 2nd quarter
The Panthers are so unlucky as an interception of Sam Darnold is ruled out after a Seattle player punches the ball out of a lineman’s grasp. Quite hard to fathom the presence of mind to knock it out just as the defender was about to hit the turf.
Browns 10-3 Steelers 0:22, 2nd quarter
Aaron Rodgers is fuming after he tries to take over the play calling but comes up against some friction from his overlords. He is in the right after catching the Browns with too many men on the field. The Steelers are moving with about 30 yards to go for the score.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 23-7 Cardinals 1:15, 2nd quarter
J Burrow to J Chase for eight yards
Joe Burrow is laying on another clinic: 16/20 for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Last week Burrow went 25/32 for 309 yards and four scores. On fire.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 13-10 Saints 3:51, 2nd quarter
C Young fumble recovery for 33 yards
The defensive end rocks Cam Ward and romps home with the scoop and score.
It’s GOOD! Panthers 3-3 Seahawks 3:47, 2nd quarter
R Fitzgerald 35 yard field goal
Seattle’s defense holds firm again and forces a field goal from Carolina despite superb field position for the Panthers. Bend but do not break.
Browns 10-3 Steelers 2:14, 2nd quarter
Oh no! Nick Herbig lets an interception go straight through his mitts. Such an easy chance to pick off Sanders, it just slips straight through. Been watching too much of the Ashes probably.
Panthers 0-3 Seahawks 4:34, 2nd quarter
The ruling on the field is upheld and the Panthers recover the fumble just about and takeover in the red zone!
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TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 17-7 Buccaneers 1:43, 2nd quarter
Q Ewers to G Dulcich for 11 yards
The rookie QB is having a day so far with 144 yards on 10/14 passes and two touchdowns. Tampa will want a response before the half.
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 3-28 Patriots 3:01, 2nd quarter
D Maye to S Diggs for three yards
Lol.
Panthers 0-3 Seahawks 7:00, 2nd quarter
Absolute carnage in Carolina. Sam Darnold is hit and possibly fumbles as he releases the pass. Then a defender picks it up and fumbles himself. THEN Christian Rozeboom picks it up again for the Panthers. The refs are reviewing to see if it is actually an incomplete pass from Darnold.
Panthers 0-3 Seahawks 7:00, 2nd quarter
Carolina are facing their fifth 4th down already today and go for it. Tetairoa McMillan just can’t hold on to a one-handed grab and the Panthers turn it over on downs.
Seattle are absolutely swarming on defense. Bryce Young … wait for it … is averaging 1.6 yards per play through the air so far. Blegh.
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Browns 10-3 Steelers 8:25, 2nd quarter
Marquez Valdes-Scantling shows what the Steelers are missing without DK Metcalf as the receiver misses what could have been a huge gain on a good throw from Rodgers. Rodgers goes back to the sideline with a perfect throw on 3rd down to Adam Thielen and it is his turn to drop it this time. No Metcalf, no juice. Punt.
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Browns 10-3 Steelers 9:15, 2nd quarter
Jaylen Warren moves the Steelers up to midfield with a 15-yard dash then picks up another five on 1st down.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 10-7 Jaguars 5:39, 2nd quarter
T Lawrence rush for four yards
The QB scrambles in to get the Jags going against their rivals. Great play on 3rd down to get the score.
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TOUCHDOWN! Titans 13-0 Saints 12:57, 2nd quarter
C Ward to C Okwonko for 43 yards
The rookie QB’s good finish to the season continues.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 13-7 Cardinals 11:44, 2nd quarter
J Brissett to M Wilson for 38 yards
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 0-21 Patriots 14:55, 2nd quarter
D Maye to R Stevenson for 22 yards
New England on pace for a 84-0 win. Time to bench Drake Maye? Certainly not but the Pats could and still win this one surely.
It’s GOOD! Browns 10-3 Steelers 14:55, 2nd quarter
C Boswell 44 yard field goal
The Steelers appear to be seriously struggling to move the ball without the threat of DK Metcalf. Logical but still frustrating for Pittsburgh fans who will not want a playoff with the Ravens next week for the AFC North.
Panthers 0-3 Seahawks 0:56, 1st quarter
Seattle are out on offense again after a Carolina punt. Rashid Shaheed picks up eight yards but looks to have picked up an injury after the catch.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 10-0 Jaguars 12:49, 2nd quarter
J Taylor rush for three yards
Another upset is in the works!
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 13-0 Cardinals 14:48, 2nd quarter
S Perine rush for one yard
Excellent news for my fantasy football team as my opponent has Chase Brown! Big smiles in the Chinchillas locker room as Perine rumbles in.
Browns 10-0 Steelers 1:15, 1st quarter
At midfield the big tight end Darnell Washington brings the Steelers to 3rd and short. They get tricksy on the next play as Connor Heward gets the direct snap. He finds the edge and rips off 29 yards.
Browns 10-0 Steelers 3:49, 1st quarter
Tony Romo is calling out the refs for a bad call after an offensive pass interference call wipes out a long gain for Pittsburgh. On the resulting 3rd and 16 the Steelers pick up 11 yards and should be punting … BUT … the Browns are dinged for taunting. 1st down Pittsburgh. Very silly.
It’s GOOD! Panthers 0-3 Seahawks 3:23, 1st quarter
J Myers 48 yard field goal
Seattle on 3rd and long finds Smith-Njigba but its well short of the sticks. A welcome spark on the scoreboard after four punts to start this one.
Panthers 0-0 Seahawks 5:23, 1st quarter
Seattle are across midfield and on 3rd and short Carolina get in a muddle and cough up a 1st down on an encroachment penalty. Sam Darnold drops back and has a running back open in the middle of the field but he throws it into a defender’s helmet. This is already getting tense.
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 0-14 Patriots 5:06, 1st quarter
R Stevenson rush for one yard
Yikes.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 7-7 Buccaneers 4:29, 1st quarter
Q Ewers to T Wease for 63 yards
Play of the day? Maybe. Game on? Yes, sir.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 10-0 Steelers 5:11, 1st quarter
S Sanders to H Fannin for 28 yards
Wow. Fantastic deep arcing throw finds the tight end in space and he beats the defender on the inside and rolls into the end zone for the score. Cleveland’s home hold over Pittsburgh appears to be holding as they take a commanding early lead.
Panthers 0-0 Seahawks 8:38, 1st quarter
Carolina need five yards on 3rd down and call a swing pass to Chuba Hubbard. The conservative play gets what it deserves with the running back brought down sharply. Punt again. Boooo.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 0-7 Buccaneers 5:28, 1st quarter
B Mayfield to C Godwin for five yards
Panthers 0-0 Seahawks 10:40, 1st quarter
Darnold puts Seattle way behind the sticks with an intentional grounding penalty and the Seahawks have to punt. Carolina pressure forces the mistake from the sometimes nervy QB.
Browns 3-0 Steelers 8:32, 1st quarter
Omens are good so far for the Browns to pick up a fourth after forcing an easy three and out. Pittsburgh punt it away.
Browns 3-0 Steelers 9:13, 1st quarter
Aaron Rodgers has trotted out on to the field and he tosses to Jaylen Warren who fumbles!!! Thankfully a teammate dives on to it. Meanwhile Tony Romo in the booth dishes out the nugget that Pittsburgh have lost their last three in Cleveland. Surprising.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 7-0 Cardinals 9:17, 1st quarter
J Burrow to J Chase for 13 yards
Panthers 0-0 Seahawks 12:51, 1st quarter
After a Carolina punt they almost pick off Sam Darnold on their first play then the QB throws one in the dirt. On 3 & 10 the crowd get loud but Darnold hits his favourite target Jaxson Smith-Njigba for 13 yards and the 1st down. Phew.
It’s GOOD! Browns 3-0 Steelers 10:48, 1st quarter
A Szmyt 50 yard field goal
Cleveland on the board after some decent play by Shadeur Sanders to move them into range.
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 0-7 Patriots 10:42, 1st quarter
D Maye to A Hooper for two yards
The beginning of what could be a very long day for New York.
Panthers 0-0 Seahawks 14:47, 1st quarter
Rough start for the Panthers as the tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is injured on the opening play. Looks like a serious one to a knee. Might be done for the day.
The Panthers are taking over on offense in Charlotte while Cleveland are doing the same in Ohio. Hereeeeeee … we .. go!
Is anybody else still tucking into Christmas leftovers? In a bit of shameless cross-promotion I am just chowing down on Felicity Cloake’s perfect turkey curry and it is absolutely delicious. Exactly what I need to spice up seven hours of raw, uncut NFL action. Cheers, Felicity!
Some other encounters that should provide some sparks are rivalry games between the Jets and Patriots and Colts and Jaguars. The 44-year-old Philip Rivers is aiming for a first win against Jacksonville after two defeats to keep Indy’s playoff hopes on life support. It might be tough going against Trevor Lawrence’s team that are thriving on a six-game winning streak. Oliver Connolly has more here …
Then the Patriots need to beat the Jets to keep pace with the Broncos at the top of the AFC and can clinch the AFC East if they are victorious and the Bills lose to the Eagles later.
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And now we return to the eternal question: is there anything more boring than talking about your own fantasy football team? It is certainly right up there and yet here we go. The Chinchillas have made it to the championship game and the head coach (Me) needs your help. I have been playing in this dynasty league for nine seasons and I even beat my own brother to get to a first final. Massive. So what do you think I should do? Go ahead with the set lineup or bin off Rashid Shaheed for Juwan Johnson? Or something else that’ll win me the strap? Help me football world, you’re my only hope.
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Elsewhere, we have a battle with playoff dreams on the line between the Seahawks and Panthers. The Seahawks need to win to stay ahead of the 49ers at the top of the NFC while the Panthers can clinch the NFC South with a win and a Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins. If Miami’s horrific 45-21 loss to Cincinnati last week is anything to go by then Tampa Bay should return to winning ways and force a title decider against Carolina next week regardless of the result in Charlotte.
The big injury news comes from Seattle who will be without two key pieces. Starting left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant miss out. Josh Jones stays in for Cross after performing well and not allowing a sack last week against the Rams. Ty Okada replaces Byrant in the secondary who also did well in the second half against the Rams. Okada did well earlier in the season replacing Julian Love when he snagged his first career interception against the Commanders.
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Preamble
Hello and happy holidays! I hope you all had a merry Christmas and are looking forward to a happy new year. Not to bring you all down to Earth with an almighty bump but after this week 17 slate we have but one more regular season Sunday left to savour. But what a year we have had full of upsets, fallen giants, rising stars and that epic Bills/Bengals blizzard game. Hopefully we still have some twists and turns left today with Pittsburgh aiming to seal a playoff spot with a win over Cleveland, Seattle trying to move closer to locking up the NFC’s No 1 seed and more in seven matches starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (home teams listed first):
(8-7) Carolina Panthers v Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
(5-10) Cincinnati Bengals v Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
(3-12) Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
(8-7) Indianapolis Colts v Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
(6-9) Miami Dolphins v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
(3-12) New York Jets v New England Patriots (12-3)
(3-12) Tennessee Titans v New Orleans Saints (5-10)
Can Cleveland stop division rivals Pittsburgh sealing the AFC North? They are going to be up against it considering their offense is 31st in EPA per play and averages one measly passing touchdown per game. The Steelers may not be spectacular in stopping an opponent but the experience of veterans such as Alex Highsmith and Cam Heyward should cause rookie quarterback Shadeur Sanders an almighty headache. Meanwhile the Browns are also without their impressive rookie running back Quinshon Judkins who has been sent to injured reserve after having surgery to repair a dislocated right ankle and fractured right fibula. Pittsburgh have a big miss of their own in star receiver DK Metcalf out through suspension after throwing a punch at a Lions fan last week.
When it rains it pours in Ohio. However, Myles Garrett still leads Cleveland’s defense and needs a single sack to break the regular season record of 22.5. Entering the history books by taking down future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers could just give Garrett and the Browns the vengeful juice they need to finish another bitterly painful season on a high.
