NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Senior writer jclombardi highlights headlines about close loss to Patriots.

Despite Packers’ loss, Flynn played like a winner: Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn can look himself in the mirror and have nothing to be ashamed about. Making his first NFL start for the injured Aaron Rodgers (concussion), Flynn played well, threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns and had the Packers poised for a huge upset over the Patriots. With the game on the line and time running out, however, Flynn wasted precious seconds getting the Packers lined up on the Patriots’ 15-yard line, then was sacked and fumbled on the final play of the game. And so the Patriots held on to win, 31-27, extending several impressive streaks: six consecutive victories. ”He pushed the envelope a little bit too much a couple times tonight,” said Packers coach Mike McCarthy. “He did a lot of tremendous things tonight. He gave us a chance to win. ”It’s definitely something Matt Flynn can grow from. There’s a decision or two he wishes he had back. For his first start on a big stage, he did a number of positive things.” Flynn completed 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He threw the one interception and was sacked five times. He finished with a rating of 100.2 and was not outplayed by Brady (163 yards, two touchdowns). Overall, Flynn performed admirably against perhaps the best team in the NFL and in one of the toughest stadiums to win. ”I’m speechless,” said Packers receiver James Jones. “He came in and took control of this team. He played flawlessly, besides the turnover, which was my fault. He came in and stepped up. He’s a great quarterback and he’s got a bright future in this game.”

Clock runs out on Packers, who absorb another close loss: Chalk up another close loss for the Green Bay Packers. Like their previous five defeats, the Packers will walk away knowing the result would have been different if not for one or two plays. This time, it was a long kickoff return by an offensive lineman – yes, an offensive lineman – and an interception return for a touchdown that ultimately doomed the Packers. Tom Brady’s 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez with 7 minutes, 14 seconds left in the game helped the New England Patriots rally for a 31-27 victory over the Packers at Gillette Stadium. The Packers (8-6) are now 2-6 in games decided by four points or less this season. Their six losses this season have been by a combined 20 points. Afterward, the fact his team, a 14½-point underdog, had given the Patriots (12-2) everything they could handle was of little consolation to Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. ”You’re supposed to be in every game,” said McCarthy, who is now 5-16 in his career in games decided by four points or less. “I don’t think I’d feel better if we lost by 21 points. We compete every week in this league. Every time we line up, we expect to win, period, and we didn’t get it done tonight.”

No moral victories: So what did matter to the Packers (8-6), if it didn't qualify as a moral victory to nearly knock off the Patriots (12-2) with Matt Flynn under center in a place where his counterpart, Tom Brady, has been downright invincible? The fact that they had just lost their sixth game of the season by four points or fewer, dropping coach Mike McCarthy's career record in such games to 5-16, including an 0-7 mark during the team's 6-10 swoon in 2008 and 2-6 this season. "We didn't get it done, once again," veteran cornerback Charles Woodson lamented. "We've got to win a close game. And we haven't done that – we haven't shown that we can do that yet. "We've got to win a close one. The games, they never get any easier. We've got to win a close game." And while this one might have been against an upper-echelon opponent – as opposed to last week's loss to Detroit (3-10) or earlier losses to Washington (5-9) and Miami (7-7) – that was of little consolation. "You’re supposed to be in every game. I don’t think I’d feel better if we lost by 21 points," said McCarthy, whose record in close games is significantly worse than that of his predecessor Mike Sherman (14-12) and iconic coaches Mike Holmgren (13-14) and Vince Lombardi (19-14-4). "We compete every week in this league. Every time we line up, we expect to win, period. And we didn’t get it done tonight. "I don’t care what you guys think. We came here to win. We’re nobody’s underdog. We’re 8-6. We need to get ready for the Giants and we need to get our ninth win." Regardless of Sunday night's loss, the Packers will still make the playoffs if they can just hold serve at home the next two Sundays against NFC playoff contenders the New York Giants (9-5) and the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears (9-4). With the Packers' loss, the Bears can clinch the division title with a win over the Vikings (5-8) at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Monday night.

COMMENTARY: ESPN Dilfer assessed the late season Packers. He praised the Packers as one of the better teams in the NFC. Dilfer contends the Packers' offensive line is the team's weak link. "Ultimately for the Packers it seems one thing constantly fails them at the ends of games," Dilfer said. "And that's their offensive line. They did a pretty good job against the New England Patriots. But you saw the big sack on the last drive, a pass protection breakup on the right side. If you go back, all these close games on offense, when they stall, whether it's Aaron (Rodgers) or Matt Flynn, that offensive line has to sustain game-winning drives in those must-win situations. They definitely need to fix their offense line." However, Dilfer sees Green Bay ending its regular season on an upswing. "I've learned a lot about the Packers this year," Dilfer said. "(Sunday night) doesn't really change my perception. I think they are better than they were last year. Their record at 8-6 is a little bit of an underachievement. But I like this team and I think they will bounce back. I think they will win these next two games."

The past couple of weeks the Patriots have won games blowing out teams and pounding them into the ground with their offense and a defense that has been as stingy as any.

Sunday night at home against a short-handed Green Bay Packers squad, it was the Pats that were playing the role of the comeback kids, but in the end, they were still able to find a way to win their 12th game of the 2010 season.

Despite being outgained 369 to 249 and only having the ball for 19:12 on offense, the Pats pulled off a 31-27 win, putting them in prime position to be the AFC’s #1 seed entering the playoffs.

Quarterback Tom Brady passed for 163 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score to Aaron Hernandez in the fourth quarter, to help the Pats pick up their sixth consecutive victory.

It wasn’t easy against Green Bay backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who was playing for Aaron Rodgers and threw for three touchdowns in his first career start. He had the Packers in position for last season heroics, but a hectic final minute allowed New England to escape with the win.

Flynn completed 24-of-37 throws for 251 yards and had the Packers deep in Patriots territory inside the final 60 seconds. An apparent failure to get organized with time winding down left Flynn with one last shot, and Tully Banta-Cain sacked him from behind to force a fumble and end the game. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said he thought Flynn operated the final play properly.

“The mechanics of it I thought was very well done by Matt Flynn,” McCarthy said.

The Packers (8-6) suffered a second straight defeat and are now in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Their loss means Chicago can clinch the NFC North by winning Monday night’s game against Minnesota, and Green Bay is also currently trailing New Orleans and the New York Giants in the wild card race.

But for Green Bay to have changed that meant it would have had to overcome long odds. The Packers were facing a Patriots team that had won 15 consecutive regular-season home games and 21 of its last 22 contests against NFC clubs. They were facing Brady, who had won his last 26 regular-season starts at Gillette Stadium. On top of that, they were led by a third-year quarterback who had never before started an NFL game.

Yet only 71 seconds into the fourth quarter, Mason Crosby kicked a 19-yard field goal to give Green Bay a 27-21 lead. The Patriots, though, got the points back on Shayne Graham’s 38-yard try with 11:05 to play, then got the ball back after forcing a Packers three-and-out.

Brady led New England 63 yards in six plays, completing first-down passes to Danny Woodhead and Deion Branch before Woodhead ran for 13 yards to bring the Patriots to the Green Bay 10-yard line. On the next play, Brady threw a short pass to Hernandez on the left side of the field, and the tight end broke a tackle before strutting into the end zone with 7:14 on the clock.

After the teams traded punts, Green Bay started a drive at its own 43 with 4:22 to play and two timeouts.

The Packers looked like they were doomed on the second play, when safety Brandon Meriweather intercepted Flynn’s deep pass for Greg Jennings. However, Banta-Cain was flagged for illegal use of his hands, giving Green Bay a first down at the New England 47.

Three consecutive running plays resulted in a first down at the two-minute warning, and Flynn kept the chains moving with his passing. Faced with a 3rd- and-4 at the New England 29, Flynn connected with Donald Driver for five yards, and Green Bay called its second timeout with 1:05 left.

But rookie linebacker Dane Fletcher likely saved the game for the Patriots on the next play, sacking Flynn for an eight-yard loss. Not only did the play move Green Bay backward, it forced the Packers to use their final timeout with 53 seconds left.

When Flynn got back under center, Green Bay faced a 2nd-and-18 and needed to pick up yardage quickly. He passed to James Jones for seven yards before completing a pass to Driver cutting across the middle.

Pat Chung’s ankle tackle left Driver a yard short of the first down, though, meaning Green Bay wasn’t able to spike the ball. Flynn and the Packers struggled to get a play called, and by the time he took the snap, there were only five seconds left. Flynn searched for a receiver until Banta-Cain snuck up from behind for the sack and fumble. Vince Wilfork recovered to secure the Patriots’ win.

“They gave us all we could handle tonight, so you give them a lot of credit,” Brady said. “They played from the opening kickoff to the last play of the game. It took all 60 minutes.”

Green Bay posed a challenge from the start, beginning the game with a successful onside kick. Crosby kicked a 31-yarder to open the scoring, and the Patriots followed with a 33-yard touchdown run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Flynn put the Packers back in front on the first play of the second quarter, when he connected with Jones for a 66-yard touchdown.

Green Bay made it a 17-7 game later in the half thanks to a long drive. The Packers went 82 yards in 13 plays while taking nearly 6 1/2 minutes off the clock. Flynn capped the march with a one-yard pass to Jennings with 2:17 left.

However, Patriots lineman Dan Connolly returned the kickoff 71 yards to set New England up at the Green Bay four. Three plays later, Brady hit Hernandez for a two-yard touchdown to get the Patriots within 17-14 at the break.

“It was an unbelievable play,” Brady said of Connolly’s return. “I can never imagine anything like that is going to happen, and that really was a big play in the game. So if it happens, we’ve got to take advantage of it … They won’t be kicking to him anymore, I’ll tell you that.”

New England took the lead three minutes into the third quarter, when Kyle Arrington picked off Flynn and returned the ball 36 yards for a score.

Green Bay responded with another long drive, a 13-play progression that Flynn ended with a six-yard pass to fullback John Kuhn, giving Green Bay a 24-21 lead.

In the mostly two and a half decades of disappointment since the magical 1985 season, the Chicago Bears franchise has been snake-bitten. Thanks to bad coaching/personnel moves and historically atrocious performances at key positions (QB, RB), the Bears have been more bad than good.

Before making their second-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2006, teams like the Panthers, Chargers, Rams, Titans, Raiders, hell even the long-time doormat Buccaneers, had been to the Super Bowl before the Bears made it back.

Fans of other teams would look at our 10 playoff appearances in the last 25 years and write this sad story off as unnecessary whining. But we Bears fans know better. Gather yourself, Bear Nation as we relive these 'horrific' events we've endured since 1985…

• After the '85 season, Jim McMahon couldn't stay healthy, and we had to resort to career backup guys like Doug Flutie and Mike Tomzcak leading Super Bowl ready teams in the late '80s.
• Speaking of QBs, the Bears have been in a deep freeze at that position the last two decades. There are too many no-names to name here, but as evidence, I offer two historically bad investments – Rick Mirer (who we gave up a 1^st round pick for) and Cade McNown, another lofty, first-round debacle.
• We've seen a trio of overrated running backs ride into town with high expectations, only to be abruptly shown the door without ever realizing half their potential. Yes, I'm talking to you, Misters Enis, Salaam and Benson.
• And the coaches…oh those coaches: Dave Wannstedt, Dick Jauron and Terry Shea, who gave new meaning to the phrase 'offensive' coordinator.
• And how about the coaching hire that was announced but never actually occurred – Dave McGinnis, who the Bears 'hired' to replace Wannstedt, except for one minor detail – the guy never had a contract in place.

That's a lot of drama for Grabowskis to absorb.

And then came the 2010 season…

It appears as though the NFL gridiron gods, in a sign of pity for the league's founding franchise, are trying to make amends for past shortcomings. For evidence, I give you…

• The overturned Calvin Johnson game-winning TD that was overruled by a ref's strict interpretation of a rule that will probably be changed this offseason.
• The Packers being flagged for a team-record 18 penalties (and 152 yards), two of which saved what would've been Jay Cutler INTs.
• Playing host to the red-hot Philly Eagles who were playing without their top 2 cornerbacks.
• The injury-riddled, cheese-headed rivals, who lost their starting RB Ryan Grant early in the season. And now, with Aaron Rodgers recovering from his 2^nd concussion this year, the Pack is facing the very real possibility that backup QB Matt Flynn will start vs. the surging Patriots in New England.
• For every Rodgers, Favre, Vick and Brady-led offense the Bears defense has faced this year, they've also matched up against a Clausen, Thigpen, Stanton and now Webb.

Which brings us to Monday night's matchup vs. the Vikings. With Brett Favre likely out due to numbness in his hand that contributed to the end of his 297 consecutive games played streak, and Tavaris Jackson out with turf toe, the Vikings will turn to rookie signal caller Joe Webb to start at QB against the Bears.

Yes, this is the same Joe Webb who played WR for the Vikings on occasion this year. Oh, and did we mention the game won't be played at the Metrodome, but rather outside in single-degree temps?

It doesn't take a lot of analysis of this one to figure the Bears – with a realistic chance to clinch the North with a win and Packers' loss – should come out of this one in great shape…assuming no major contributor is lost on the frozen tundra of TCF Bank Stadium.

Who would've thought we'd be writing/reading the headline "Chicago Bears – 2010 NFC North Division Champs."

Somewhere, Papa Bear Halas just slipped the football gods a friendly bribe in exchange for some well-deserved good fortune.

Prediction:

Bears – 19, Vikes – 10

It should have been easy. The Giants were up 21 points, with 8 minutes left in the game. Should have been easy. But, as it always with this team, it wasn’t easy. 8 minutes later, the Eagles are on top, walking away with a victory. A 31-10 lead became a 38-31 loss. Just like that.

It started off nice. The Giants put up the first strike, as Eli Manning hit Mario Manningham for a 36 yard touchdown. After an Eagles field goal, the Manning-Manningham connection was at it again, this time on a 33 yard strike. After a Lawrence Tynes field goal, the Giants scored a touchdown with 5 seconds left, on a 8 yard pass to Hakeem Nicks, to make it 24-3 going into the half.

Jeremy Maclin scored the first touchdown of the second half for the Eagles, on an 8 yard reception. The Giants answered right back, however, when Kevin Boss scored on an 8 yard touchdown, to make it 31-10 with 8:17 left.

This is where it all fell apart. Just minutes later, Mike Vick hit Brent Celek for a 65 yard touchdown. After recovering an onside kick, the Eagles marched down the field again, this time scoring on a 4 yard Vick run. They tied it up a few minutes later, this time on a 13 yard pass to Maclin.

After a 3 and out by the Giants, with 14 seconds left, the Giants decided to punt it. Instead of kicking it out of bounds, and going to overtime, our favorite punter Matt Dodge punted it right to DeSean Jackson, who ran it back 65 yards for the touchdown and the win as time expired.

It’s as bad of a loss as you can imagine. Trust me, I was there. The crowd was just stunned, shocked. I’m still a bit speechless, a few hours later. The Giants were up 21. With 8 minutes left. That should be a win. That’s in the bank. But, Mike Vick decided to play like SuperMan, and the Giants couldn’t stop him. If he’s not the MVP, I have no idea who would be.

The punt by Dodge, while awful, is the least of our worries. It should not gotten to that point. You can’t give up 21 points in 8 minutes. You can’t not be ready for an onside kick. You have to make a stop. This was the Giants problem last year. Couldn’t make a stop when they needed to. It hadn’t been a huge problem this year. Until now.

Giants can still make the playoffs. If they beat the Packers next week, they’ll be in. Pretty simple. But, you feel confident in predicting a win for the G-Men, with the way they’ve been playing? I don’t.

It’s just an awful loss, and one that you think could have lasting effects, both on the team and the fans. The coaching staff has to be on pins and needles. Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn has to be let go. Can’t be that unprepared.

It’s still a 9-5 team. A good football team. The frustration is understandable. I’m frustrated. But, we’re still in the hunt. And it could be a lot worse. How the team responds next week will tell us a lot about this football team.

The good news? The Seahawks somehow find themselves still tied for the NFC West.

The bad news? The team was beaten badly at home by one of, if not the best team in the NFC the Atlanta Falcons after three Matt Hasselbeck turnovers in the third quarter made it a blowout.

The Hawks fell hard, 34-18, to drop to 6-8 on the season, meaning they won’t finish the regular season with a better than .500 record. At this point, the team could care less about that, as they were able to stay tied for the top spot in the division after the St.Louis Rams fell at home Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs.

It appears that the season could very well come down to the final game of the year when the Hawks host the Rams. Seattle lost 20-3 to St.Louis back on October 3rd.

Sunday the Falcons took advantage of Hawks miscues, with Matt Ryan throwing for 174 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-35 passes. Atlanta used a third-quarter surge with Hawks turnovers giving them all the opening they would need to get to 12-2 on the season.

Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and Jason Snelling all caught a TD pass for the Falcons, who clinched a playoff spot prior to the contest due to the Giants’ disheartening loss to the Eagles, and extended their lead in the NFC South to two games over New Orleans, which lost to Baltimore earlier Sunday.

Michael Turner added 82 yards on 25 carries and Jonathan Babineaux recorded a defensive touchdown for Atlanta, which reeled off their eighth straight victory — their most in one season since taking the final nine games of the 1998 campaign.

Hasselbeck didn’t last three quarters, and threw for 71 yards and two interceptions on 10-of-17 passing. Charlie Whitehurst finished the game 8- of-16 for 83 yards and ran for a score for the Seahawks, who suffered their fourth loss in five games.

Marshawn Lynch posted 60 yards and a TD on 12 carries while Mike Williams had 66 yards on eight receptions in defeat.

On Seattle’s first drive of the third quarter, it was pinned in the shadow of its own goal line. Hasselbeck dropped back and rolled out into the end zone on first down, but was hit by Jamaal Anderson, fumbled, and Babineaux recovered for a 24-10 Falcons edge.

Hasselbeck was picked off by Brent Grimes on the Seahawks’ next series, and he returned the ball to the Seattle 37. Eight plays later, Matt Bryant was good from 25 yards out.

It was 34-10 for the visitors and under a minute left in the third when Ryan capped the next Atlanta series with a five-yard TD pass to White.

Whitehurst ran in from the one with 8:29 remaining, and the conversion pass was good so the Seahawks faced a 16-point hole.

A comeback was not to be as the next Seahawks possession resulted in a punt, and their final drive stalled on a 4th-and-8 from their own 26 when a Whitehurst pass for Williams fell incomplete.

Lynch’s one-yard run put Seattle on the board and was the lone score of the first quarter.  Ryan hit Snelling for a three-yard TD to tie the game early in the second before Bryant hit a 27-yard field goal to give Atlanta the lead with 4:51 to play in the half.

Olindo Mare nailed a 38-yarder to make it 10-10 on the next series, but the Falcons responded before the end of the half as Jenkins hauled in a 24-yard scoring pass from Ryan.

The Hawks will be at Tampa Bay next week for a key matchup with the Bucs, who fell at home Sunday to the Lions.

This certainly was a game which the Saints had a legitimate shot of winning. Their second possession was strong and productive to get them on the board early and they even rallied from behind 21-7 to tie the game up at 24. Although the run game of the Ravens carried them today, the Saints had the advantage. I don't feel like the play calling did anything to help the cause.

A lot of heat will understandably come down on the defense for this loss because Ray Rice literally had a field day against them. After shutting him down early on, he came out and just took it to the Saints defense.

They just didn't have an answer for him as he rushed for 153 yards on the day and had a touchdown reception. However, after giving up three touchdowns in the first half, Gregg Williams' unit held the Ravens to three field goals after that. The game was still within the Saints' reach. If the defense has a redeeming quality, it's their ability to keep the opposing offenses out of the endzone despite letting them move the ball effectively.

In my last article, I expressed concern about possible issues with play calling today. The reason was that with Baltimore being so good against the run, I feared that Sean Payton would revert to a lopsided offense that requires abandoning the run game.

Well, that's exactly what happened. And it was totally without cause. I'd really expected to see a heavy dose of Pierre Thomas–not from scrimmage necessarily, but in screens designed for him. Instead, I saw screens to Reggie Bush and to Jimmy Graham that went absolutely nowhere for the most part. Conventional wisdom would dictate that if you opt to run the screen, you put the ball in the hands of your best player for that particular call.

Thomas is the best screener on the team hands down. That one play has done more to spread defenses and open up offensive opportunites for the Saints than any other they typically run. Yet and still, it was not a given that the Saints weren't going to be able to run the ball effectively because Thomas had a tough run from scrimmage and picked up 9 yards on a first down carry and he picked up some short yardage first downs.

We don't know if he could've done more of the same because the run game was abruptly abandoned and Thomas was all but taken out of the gameplan except returning kickoffs. I knew it was bad when Payton opted to pass on 3rd and 2 rather than try to punch ahead for the first down.

The Saints finished with a measly 24 yards rushing as opposed to 267 passing! So the biggest mistake was not maintaining balance on offense, or at least trying to. We've seen this before and each time, it's ended up being unfortunate for New Orleans. So I ask, how can you have a gem like Thomas on your roster and not at least give him a shot to make something happen for you?

That's not to say that the Saints didn't put together some brilliant drives through the air. Jimmy Graham caught two touchdown passes today and Lance Moore had one of the most spectacular catches ever in the endzone.

But if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times–the Saints are a team that must have balance. I don't care if the rushers only get 35 or 40 yards per game, defenses have to respect the run (or else get burned on the ground) and that opens up some other avenues offensively. When that is taken out, the gameplan becomes one dimensional, thereby becoming easier to defend against. They made the game interesting, but in the end that wasn't enough.

Despite today's loss, all is not lost for the Saints because both the Giants and the Bucs also lost, leaving them both a game behind the Saints who are still leading the pack hoping to clinch a wildcard playoff spot. But I can tell you, things are going to be a lot more critical now that they couldn't get it done against the Ravens.

They're at Atlanta next week, who clinched a playoff berth today by virtue of the Giants' loss and then at home against Tampa Bay to close out the season. We already know that the Falcons are going to run Michael Turner down the Saints' throats to set up the pass for Matt Ryan. The question is, how will the Saints stop it? They didn't do a good job defensively against Baltimore's run game, so they'd better figure something out quick if they hope to contain Atlanta.

Also, special teams has been awful this season and need to make some major adjustments. The Saints absolutely cannot afford to lose another game; today's loss hurt them enough. It's hard to believe that even after vacating the run today, they still could've won that game. But they should never have been in that difficult position in the first place. I hope that this game serves as a lesson in play calling because it can't happen again if the Saints hope to march into the playoffs.

17-14. With that score in the books, and the Miami Dolphins racking up yet another loss at home this season, Miami is now officially eliminated from the playoff picture, and fans can start fantasizing about the off-season and all of the potential pickups.

The loss puts the Dolphins at 1-6 on the season at home, and caps a season of disappointment, after an off-season full of hype.

For the record this game was not a total loss, there were some positives; very few positives, but positives nevertheless.

For only the second time all season long Brandon Marshall dominated the opposing defense, and catching 11 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. It was an all-around complete game for Marshall, and his stats only leave me wondering why this offense hasn't revolved around him all season long? He looked dominant today, and shredded the Bills defense. He did whatever he wanted to the Bills, and for the offense to not capitalize off that in the final minutes when they had a chance to score and take the lead, is ridiculous.

You also cannot say the blame rests in quarterback Chad Henne's hands. Henne did all he could do under the circumstances, and the plays that were called. Henne had a manageable game, and put the Dolphins in position for the comeback win, by throwing for 276 yards, a touchdown and an interception on a 33/45 throwing day.

Henne was 15/18 alone in the 4th quarter, throwing for 126 yards and a touchdown. He was also 9/9 with a touchdown on the Dolphins touchdown drive in the final quarter.

Chad put together an efficient game, and this is the quarterback I would like to see. I would like to see a quarterback who limits his mistakes, plays big in the second half, and can put his team in a position to win. Henne does not necessarily need to win the game for us, but he needs to at least put us in a position to win the game and he did that.

And with the offense struggling to get going, it was the defense yet again that did just about everything possible down the stretch to allow this offense to put some points on the board to win the game.

The Dolphins defense blanked the Bills all of the fourth quarter, including a crucial 3-and-out with only 1:48 left on the clock, to try and keep the hopes of a comeback alive.

Yes, the defense may have given up 17 points, and the Bills were 2/3 in the red-zone today, but the defensive unit was in a position to make plays all day, it just didn't work out the way we wanted it to.

The front seven was in the backfield all game long, especially Tony McDaniel, who registered a sack and four tackles, Paul Solia, who had three tackles, and Randy Starks, who registered two tackles and an assist.

Yeremiah Bell led the defense with 9 tackles, and Koa Misi got into the backfield for a sack, and two tackles.

It was the offensive line, the running game, and the playcalling that did the Dolphins in today, as it has all season long.

The offensive line could not seem to get a good surge into the second level for the running backs, and the rushing game suffered. The Dolphins only ran the ball 19 times for 65 yards. The Bills defense is the worst against the rush in the league, and we only ran the ball 19 times? C'Mon Man!

While we really cannot place the blame on the lack of a ground game soley on the running backs or the offensive line, one has to come to the decision that responsibility should lie on all three's shoulders, the backs, lineman and coaches, specifically Dan Henning.

Henning's playcalling has been inconsistent all season long, and we have lost a couple of games because of his idiocy when it comes to calling plays.

The big ones that pop out to me are the decision to go Wildcat on 2nd and 10 with 2:27 left in the game. The Dolphins had been driving up to that point, and Henne was on a roll. The ball was on the Bills 30 yard line, and the play only netted a one yard gain. The Wildcat has struggled all season long, and has never broken a huge gain, so why try it there when your offense seems to be in a rhythm, and your kicker is 0/3 up to that point? Why not try to get as close as you can, so if you fail to get into the endzone, it's an easy kick for your kicker?

Then, with less than a minute to go, Henning arranges for a couple of short pass plays to end the game. The Dolphins needed a touchdown to win, and were pitted on their 20 yard line, and were running short routes? That's inexcusable, and Henning needs to go. At this point, I could care less whether or not he retires or gets fired, I just want him gone from Miami. Sure, the Dolphins would benefit from drafting another quarterback in this years draft, but until Henning is gone, we will not be able to see Henne's full potential.

Let's sum this up in a nutshell, the Dolphins lost this one because of a lack of offensive effort. Everything that went wrong on offense went wrong. We could not generate a rushing game against the leagues worst run defense, and we could not score when needed. Something's gotta give here, and I think Brandon Marshall summed it up best after the game:

"I want to apologize to the defensive guys, especially the players. All year they played their hearts out, they played together. They played like a unit's supposed to play," said Marshall, who is playing his second game since being sidelined by a right hamstring strain. "Offensively all year we didn't get the job done. We didn't make enough plays. Today we didn't get the job done. It's embarrassing. It's just a shame.

"When you have a defense like that …you don't have to be great as an offense. You just have to be okay and we haven't been that all year and it's embarrassing. So, I apologize to each guy on the other side of the ball.

"I'm held accountable too. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone on the offense. It's all of us as a group, coaches too. We just didn't get the job done [against the Bills] and it's been that way all season."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

The Raiders tried as hard as they could.  They tried to let the Broncos win the game.  They had 3 turnovers in the first half, and the Broncos turned those into 17 points.  But whatever speech Tom Cable made during halftime worked as the Raiders came out in the second half and outscored the Broncos 22-6 to win 39-23.  Let's review how they did it…

With Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller in street clothes, the short-handed Steelers simply ran out of time in the end, falling to the New York Jets 22-17 to fall to 10-4 on the season.

The loss, the first ever to the Jets in Pittsburgh, ties the AFC North with two games left with the Ravens, who beat the New Orleans Saints at home Sunday 30-24. The Steelers though do control their own fate, as if they beat the Panthers Thursday at home and win in Cleveland in January 2nd, they will win the division no matter what the Ravens do in their final two games at Cleveland and vs Cincinnati.

The Jets overcame a third quarter 17-10 deficit, and took a 22-17 lead with 2:38 left when Jason Taylor tackled Mewelde Moore in the end zone for a safety. The Steelers had their shots though, as they got the ball back with 2:08 left and one time out.

They drove to the Jets 10 with :09 left. After a Ben Roethlisberger spike, his next two passes both appeared to be intended for backup TE Matt Spaeth, but both fell incomplete, sending the Steelers to their 4th loss of the year.

The Steelers allowed Mark Sanchez to scramble for a game-tying touchdown after going up 17-10 on the first drive in the third quarter. Then Nick Folk kicked a field goal with 10 minutes left to make it 20-17. They got a safety late to end the 12 straight points to win the game.

Roethlisberger and the offense had their shorts, starting at their own 8-yard line. The QB ran 22 yards for a first down and completed passes of 29 yards to Emmanuel Sanders, 18 yards to Mike Wallace and 16 yards to Antonio Brown to take the Steelers to the New York 10. But his throw to tight end Matt Spaeth in the left side of the end zone with zeroes on the clock wasn’t close to being completed.

The Steelers outgained the Jets 378 to 276, and Rashard Mendenhall had 100 yards on 17 carries. Roethlisberger was 23-for-44 for 264 yards with a touchdown and a QB rating of 78.2. Mike Wallace caught 7 passes for 102 yards.

The Jets were led by Sanchez, who ran in a score and was 19-for-29 for 170 yards. He was only sacked once, and made some big throws on third downs when the Jets were driving for the tying and go-ahead scores.

“It was a tough, hard-fought football game. There weren't enough significant plays there particularly at the end to be victorious. You have to tip your hat to the Jets. They made significant plays to win and of course we didn't,” Mike Tomlin said. “How we respond to this will be important. We are in the thick of things here.”

The Steelers will have a quick turnaround, as they play Thursday night at home vs the Panthers, who are 2-12.