Hail Mary: Panthers and Eagles roll on, wheels off in Chicago?

Week 13 of the NFL started early with Thursdays Thanksgiving feast, so it time for some teams to try and play catch up. Could Chicago keep pace with Detroit, Philadelphia had to try and stay with Dallas, and the Colts and Titans had a division matchup that would have a big say in the outcome of the AFC South.

Buccaneers @ Panthers

Carolina keep rolling and this 27-6 win over Tampa Bay set a new franchise record for consecutive wins. Cam Newton threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns as well as running one in. The Panthers improve to 9-3, and their defence were not to be outdone and they held the Buccaneers to 206 yards, and sacked QB Mike Glennon four times. It ends Tampa’s win streak at three and leaves them on 3-9 for the year.

Jaguars @ Browns

Jacksonville have a certain never say die attitude about them at the moment, and this 32-28 win was justified, but overshadowed by one man’s performance. Cleveland wide receiver Josh Brown had 261 yards receiving from his ten catches – a team record – to back up his 237 yards last week to become the first player in NFL history to achieve the 200+ yards mark in consecutive weeks. The Jaguars, now 3-9, drove 80 yards in nine plays for the winning touchdown, and drop Cleveland to 4-8.

Patriots @ Texans

Houston finally showed some of the fight that they were supposed to bring all season, but it still New England who were the eventual winners, 34-31. Tom Brady once again led from the front and had 371 yards passing, with two touchdowns. Houston’s Ben Tate ran for three touchdowns and carried the rock for 102 yards in another losing day. Stephen Gostkowski kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter to lift the Patriots to 9-3.

Titans @ Colts

Indianapolis returned to winning ways and in doing so is within one win of clinching the AFC South. They have now swept the Tennessee this season and have a three game lead over them. They owed much of the day’s 22-14 success to the boot of kicker Adam Vinatieri, who converted five field goals. The Colts still need to regain their early season offensive form if they are to threaten in the postseason.

Dolphins @ Jets

Miami stayed in the AFC wild card picture as they easily overcome a woeful New York Jets 23-3. Ryan Tannehill was steady throughout the game and ended with 331 yards passing, and connecting for two scores. In contrast the ailing Jets benched Geno Smith at halftime, but didn’t fare much better under the guidance of Matt Simms. Smith stats for the day meant he had a QBR of just 8.3. Miami move to 6-6, whereas the Jets playoff hopes take a dent and are now 5-7.

Cardinals @ Eagles

Philadelphia stopped the Arizona Cardinals late rally to hold on to a 24-21 win and tie up the top of the NFC East with Dallas at 7-5, the two teams meet on the final day of the season. Arizona came into this game riding a four game win streak and Carson Palmers 302 yards, and three touchdown strikes were not enough to see their playoff push skid to a halt. Nick Foles also threw three scores and has now thrown for 10 without any interceptions in that time, he was ably backed up with another solid day by LeSean McCoy’s 79 yards on the ground.

Bears @ Vikings

Minnesota got just their third win of the year with a 23-20 win in overtime against a Chicago team that needs to turn the corner again quickly. Adrian Peterson had another great day running for 211 yards. Blair Walsh would have won the game earlier in the extra period, but his would-be winner was cancelled out by a face mask penalty. He did however get another chance with just 1.43 left and made no mistake from 34 yards away. Chicago is now 6-6 and a game back from NFC North leaders Detroit.