NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Senior writer jclombardi highlights Packers win over Giants 45-17.

Rodgers awes Giants: He froze safeties with play-action fakes, beat blitzes with audibles, extended plays with his feet, threw the ball with pinpoint accuracy and even remembered to slide at the end of a scramble. Aaron Rodgers was a video game come to life Sunday, pushing all the right buttons in the Green Bay Packers’ 45-17 dismantling of the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. In the biggest regular-season game of his career, Rodgers completed 25 of 37 passes (67.6%) for 404 yards, four touchdowns and a 139.9 rating. “I think the numbers speak for themselves,” said Packers guard Daryn Colledge. “It’s hard to critique a guy like that.” Given good protection from his offensive line and enough production from the run game to make play-action effective, Rodgers shredded the NFL’s second-ranked passing defense. He completed passes of 80 and 38 yards to Nelson; 36, 26 and 24 yards to Jennings; 33 yards to Driver, and 21 yards to Crabtree. He spread the love to nine receivers, and Jennings (142) and Nelson (124) both topped 100 yards. ”He is a great quarterback all around,” said safety Deon Grant. “He can run. He has a great arm, and he has one of the fastest releases you can get, so he wasn’t allowing our defensive line to get there. He has a great coaching staff, and he has weapons.”

Packers defense tough, determined: Fans would have been happy with a victory, but Green Bay’s defense decided to make a statement, too. The New York Giants have been in a charitable mood anyway, giving away too many turnovers in recent games. But Green Bay pounced on the Giants and ended up stealing six takeaways Sunday in a 45-17 victory from the fading, flailing Giants. Green Bay collected four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. That was a season high. It was no coincidence that the defense was the group introduced at Lambeau Field before the kickoff against the Giants. ”We all knew (what) the magnitude of a loss in the game would have been,” said defensive tackle B.J. Raji. “We knew that we needed to win. We needed to look good from a confidence standpoint and to propel us to next week.” Green Bay first concentrated on running backs Ahmad Bradshaw (31 rushing yards) and Jacobs (47). ”That was our plan. We know that Bradshaw was a great back, and we didn’t want Brandon Jacobs to run downhill in to our secondary,” said Raji. “He’s a tough guy for anyone to bring down, much less a corner or safety.” Green Bay’s run defense, led by Raji, Ryan Pickett and Howard Green filling in for Cullen Jenkins, kept the tandem out of the end zone. ”Our main goal was to stop the run and make Eli throw, and we worked it to perfection,” said Matthews. “With our defense, there’s really not a whole lot of places to run.”

Packers dole out lesson in physical education: The finesse football team wearing green and gold uniforms that got manhandled by these same New York Giants three years ago on the same field was nowhere to be found Sunday. In its place, the Green Bay Packers fielded a rugged, no-nonsense outfit that was physically superior in a 45-17 demolition of the Giants at Lambeau Field. Center Scott Wells, one of 11 starters from the club that fell to the Giants in that NFC Championship Game, gathered up the team at one point during pregame warm-ups and spoke his peace. ”Scott Wells set the tempo,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “They were sick and tired hearing about how physical the Giants were all week. They took it personally.” With a bow to the showdown against Chicago a week hence, McCarthy told the press corps to “make sure you do it this week, because it worked. They came out and played big today.” Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked twice, but just one was protection-related. Rodgers saved himself a few times by scrambling, but overall the protection was excellent against a pass rush ranked third in the National Football League. Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin recalled that the protection for Brett Favre in the 23-20 overtime defeat three years ago was equally effective. The difference in this game, according to Philbin, was the Packers’ ability to do something on the ground.

The Colts already got a gift earlier in the day when the Jags lost in OT to the Redskins at home, and then later in Oakland the team took care of business, topping the Raiders 31-26.

The win pushes them ever so close to their second straight AFC South title, a title that as of just last Sunday could have slipped away with a loss to Jacksonville at home.

Peyton Manning looks more and more back to form, as he threw three touchdown passes, going 16-of-30 passes for 179 yards and two interceptions. The now 9-6 Colts have won three in a row, including a big 34-24 win over the Jaguars last weekend.

A win by the Colts over the Titans next week gives Indy the division crown. The Colts can also secure the division title with a Jaguars loss at Houston.

“We have to try to find a way to win next week,” Manning said. “It’s really hard to get a summary and try to put it in perspective. We’ve definitely dealt with different things. Maybe it’s been different in years past, (we’ve had) different guys playing each week.”

Dominic Rhodes carried the ball 17 times for 98 yards. Joseph Addai returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a neck injury and rushed for 45 yards and a score on 12 carries.

Jacob Tamme caught seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown for Indianapolis, which also got receiving TDs from Pierre Garcon and Blair White.

Jason Campbell connected on 29-of-42 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders (7-8), who were eliminated from playoff contention after Kansas City beat Tennessee. The Chiefs won the AFC West.

“There’s a ton of improvement, but we’re disappointed because we really wanted the chance to see if we could be a playoff team this year,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said. “Our goals have to change for the last week.”

Darren McFadden carried the ball 11 times for 45 yards. Zach Miller caught nine passes for 66 yards and a score.

Jacoby Ford returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to put Oakland ahead early.

Following four punts, the Colts took over at their own 43 with 8:16 left. Manning threw three passes of over 13 yards to set up Indy at the six-yard line. Addai then scampered into the end zone to make it 7-7.

The Colts bridged the first and second quarters with an 11-play, 50-yard drive. Adam Vinatieri capped the march with a 30-yard field goal for a 10-7 edge with 14:51 remaining until half.

Sebastian Janikowski made field goals of 59 and 38 yards to give the Raiders a 13-10 lead with 1:55 to go.

Manning led the Colts on an eight-play, 88-yard drive before the half. Faced with a 2nd-and-17 from the Oakland 43, the Raiders were called for defensive pass interference. On the next play, Tamme caught an 18-yard TD pass to give Indy a 17-13 lead at the break.

Janikowski cut the gap to 17-16 on a 51-yard field goal with 7:53 left in the third.

Following a pair of punts, Indianapolis took over at its own 44. A defensive pass interference penalty set up the Colts at the 12. Two plays later, White stretched the ball across the right pylon to complete a four-yard score and 24-16 lead.

The second play of the fourth quarter resulted in Chris Johnson intercepting Manning. Oakland took over at the 37-yard line of the Colts. The Raiders, though, only managed to get a 45-yard Janikowski field goal to make it 24-19 with 12:59 to play.

Indianapolis responded with a touchdown to essentially put the game out of reach. Addai’s 18-yard run set up the Colts at the Oakland 29. Faced with a 3rd-and-9, Manning threw a 13-yard pass to Tamme. Then on 3rd-and-2, Garcon hauled in a seven-yard TD pass for a 31-19 margin with 7:38 remaining.

Miller caught a six-yard TD pass with 1:51 left to cut the gap to 31-26, but Oakland failed to get the onsides kick.

Manning sealed the victory with a 27-yard run on third down.

Youth was served today in Cincinnati as the Bengals won their second straight with a 34-20 destruction of the San Diego Chargers at a snowy, sparsely populated Paul Brown Stadium.

In a word: Impressive.

The Bengals hung 34 points on the league's number 1 defense, while holding the league's number 1 offense to just 20, with 7 of those coming in garbage time with the game already decided. The loss was San Diego's first on the road in the month of December since 2006, and it eliminated them from any chance for a playoff berth.

Impressive.

One day shy of his 31st birthday, Carson Palmer put on a spectacular show in a swirly, snowy wind, going an efficient 16 for 21 for 269 yards, 4 touchdowns, no interceptions and a 157.2 quarterback rating.

Palmer's critics will be re-evaluating him after that performance, particularly since he did it without the so-called superheroes that were meant to rescue him and the offense. With Terrell Owens out for the year and Chad Ochocinco inactive with an ankle injury, Palmer was razor sharp throwing to youngsters and back-ups.

It was enough to make this Bengals observer wonder what the team's record would be, and what Palmer's stats would be had Batman and Robin got injured in week 5 instead of week 15. All over the field, next generation Bengals were shining.

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Don’t look now, but the Chiefs are headed for the postseason.

In a season that has had its share of dramatic moments, Sunday at home against the overmatched Tennessee Titans, the Chiefs laid a beating on them to take home a rather easy 34-14 victory, clinching the AFC West following the Chargers upset loss in Cincinnati.

The win pushed the Chiefs to 10-5 and with the Chargers loss to the Bengals, means the Chiefs have their first division crown since 2003.

The Chiefs play Oakland next Sunday at Arrowhead in a game meaningless in the standings. They will then play a first-round playoff game at home on either January 8th or 9th. The opponent will be either the Ravens, Steelers or Jets, and that won’t be decided till next weekends outcome.

Matt Cassel threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-34 efficiency. Jamaal Charles carried 13 times for 77 yards and had the first two-touchdown receiving game of his career while Dwayne Bowe added six grabs for 153 yards and a score.

The Chiefs reached double-figures in wins for the first time since 2005. They are 7-0 at Arrowhead.

“I think it’s a huge accomplishment,” Cassell said about winning 10 games and engineering the biggest one-season turnaround in team history. “It’s a huge turnaround for us, being 4-12 and going through the year we did last year. We faced a ton of adversity that was very difficult to handle at times, so, it’s remarkable to say the least. Everybody embraced the challenge to come in and work hard in the off-season, the camps and now throughout the year and it has put us into a great position.”

A season where there was so much hope faded away Sunday, as a 25-17 loss to the Rams officially eliminated the 49ers from any hope of making the 2010 postseason.

Not making the playoffs may be the least of the 49ers issues, as this latest loss once again comes with questions about the overall direction of the franchise.

A new GM?

A new coach?

Lots of new players?

One that seems almost a for sure is the replacement of Mike Singletary as head coach. A heated argument with QB Troy Smith and a season of plenty of losses likely means that Singletary will be out of work by next Monday at the latest.

“We want to take our time before we make any decision like that,” Team President Jed York said. “You don’t want to make an emotional decision right now after the game.”

A new GM also seems in the works, as the players that were brought in that were going to challenge for a division title in the NFC West this year have mostly been busts. Anyway you look at it, the Niners are a complete mess.

The Houston Texans have done it again.  In a season riddled with disappointments and last second losses, the Texans allowed the 3-10, now 4-10, Denver Broncos and their rookie quarterback, Tim Tebow, to orchestrate a game winning drive and defensive shut out to keep the Texans in their place.  Although Houston played a well prepared first half, their second half effort ended with defeat yet again.

By the end of the first half, Texans quarterback Matt Schaub had completed 10 for 12 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown.  Foster was on a groove moving for 66 yards and a touchdown with a long of 34.  Additionally, the Texans were slowing the Broncos.

Tebow had 100 yards and an interception, and their running backs only had 30 yards for the half.    Comparatively, the Texans finished with 233 yards to the Broncos 111.  The Texans had 11 first downs to the Broncos' 11 in their 17-0  first half lead.

The second half was a different story.  The Texans' third quarter seemed in control as Schaub and Foster continued their ball control and Neil Rackers proved his worth with field goal after field goal, including a 54-yard longshot.  However, the Texans kept themselves and allowed their opponent to creep into the game in the fourth quarter.

Tim Tebow utilized his deceptive speed and cannon arm, connecting with Brandon Lloyd all over the field to mount the Texans on the wall.  Also, running back Corral Buckhalter made the Texans' playmakers (Brian Cushing & Bernard Pollard) show their true colors – slowed and a lack of positioning to make tackles.  Houston, on the other hand, went stonehands – the receivers dropped balls and Schaub kept throwing at opposing defenders.

And after Tebow's late fourth quarter drive and ran-touchdown, Schaub had two minutes to take the Texans to victory. Yet, Shaub also kept himself, and continued to throw low at the opposing defensive lines, causing a Bronco pass deflection for an interception with a minute and fifteen seconds to go as the Broncos kept their 24-23 lead.  The Texans were in field goal position, but failed their fans, their organization and themselves yet again.

By the game's end, Tim Tebow finished with 304 yards and two touchdowns.  Foster only had 91 yards and Schaub 310.  The Texans second half effort summed their season up: an in ability to finish or maintain an identity.  In all, the Broncos played the game they had to in order to jump to 4-11 over the now 5-10 Texans.

They played smart, the Texans received their penalties and gave up their yards, and the Broncos capitalized.  This frequency of last-minute losing should be enough for the Texans owner Bob McNair to wake up to his 2006 management and coaching hires.

The fact that we can start a Raiders article on December 26 and say that they were officially eliminated from the playoffs today, in Week 16, is major progress. I think in 2005 they were eliminated in Week three of the pre-season. I mean we've seen some lean times the last few years, and for the first time since Rich Gannon was throwing the ball, the future is bright.

Jason Campbell made significant strides this year and will begin next year as the starting quarterback. He still has your occasional stinker of a game, but for the most part, I've seen enough from him to think he can get the job done.

Especially if that job involves giving the ball to Darren McFadden. The Raiders knew that McFadden was a special player when they took him with the 4th pick of the first round in the 2008 NFL Draft. He endured some injury plagued seasons in '08 & '09, but busted out this season to be a force who can score anytime he touches the ball. And keep this in mind: he'll turn only 24 during next year's training camp.

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In a matchup of two of the league's top defenses, the Jets and Bears exploded for a surprising 72-point outburst in Soldier Field.

Matt Forte ran for 113 yards and a touchdown and Jay Cutler threw for 3 TDs. But the Bears didn't have this one cinched until Chris Harris intercepted Mark Sanchez with the Bears clinging to a 4-point lead.

With the 38-34 win, the Bears moved closer to securing the #2 seed in the NFC…and a 1^st round playoff bye. The Jets were coming off a big road win against the Steelers in Pittsburgh and had a chance to punch their playoff ticket with a win.

The first half was a story of runs. The Bears jumped out to a 10-0 lead on a Robbie Gould 37-yard field goal and a 22-yard Forte TD run. The Jets responded with a 21-point barrage thanks to a 3-yard Shonn Green TD run, a 20-yard Dwight Lowery interception return and a short LaDainian Tomlinson TD run to go up 21-10.

The Bears quickly answered with a 2-yard Cutler TD keeper to cut the lead to 21-17. After a Jets field goal put them up 24-17 at half, it didn't take the Bears long to regain momentum.

On fourth down at midfield on the first possession of the second half, the Jets opted for a fake punt that failed when Sanchez, lined up as a blocker, took the snap and threw a pass in the flat that was dropped. On the next play, Cutler made Rex Ryan pay for his decision when he chucked a 40-yard bomb to Johnny Knox to knot the score at 24.

After forcing the Jets to punt, Devin Hester owned the next series. Jets punter Drew Weatherford ignored his coach's instructions to keep the ball away from the Windy City Flyer, putting the ball in #23 hands in the middle of the field. Hester raced down the right sideline for a 38-yard return. Three plays letter, Cutler hit Hester for a 25-yard TD pass to reclaim the lead.

But in a back-and-forth, offensive shootout, the Jets bounced back.

Sanchez led a drive down the field that ended in a 23-yard Santonio Holmes TD reception. Once again, the Bears responded. Cutler connected with Knox again, this time a 26-yarder that gave the Bears a 38-31 lead they would not relinquish.

Chris Harris intercepted Sanchez at midfield with a little over a minute remaining to secure the Bears' 38-34 win.

While it's hard to believe, the end of the regular season is upon us. The Bears now head to Lambeau for an important season finale. A date with a desperate Packers squad, which is still battling for a playoff spot, awaits. A Bears win in the land of cheese would guarantee an all-important first-round bye

It was a must win game. But the Giants couldn't deliver, as they lost to the Packers  . The Giants just couldn't make stops when they needed to on defense, and it led to a 45-17 loss.

The Packers started off the scoring early, as Aaron Rodgers connected with Jordy Nelson for an 80 yard strike. They followed it up with a 3 yard touchdown pass to James Jones, which happened after an Eli Manning interception.

Giants came alive in the second half, scoring first on a 36 yard touchdown to Hakeem Nicks, and then a bit later on a 85 yard bomb to Mario Manningham to tie it up at 14.

Packers added one more score before the half, this time on a 8 yard John Kuhn run.

The Giants and Packers traded field goals in the 3rd quarter, with Mason Crosby hitting a 31 yarder for the Packers and Lawrence Tynes hitting a 38 yarder for the Giants. Donald Lee caught a 1 yard touchdown in the 3rd to make it 31-17 Packers.

The Packers added some insurance points, as Rodgers connected with John Kuhn for a 5 yard touchdown, to make it 38-17. Kuhn added a 1 yard touchdown late in the 4th to make it 45-17.

The offense was up and down, starting slow, making some nice plays towards. Turnovers were costly. Every time they got going, a turnover pushed things back. Can't have 5 turnovers and expect to win, especially on the road. Couldn't really get the run game going, and when they did, they fumbled it away. Couldn't really sustain anything.

Defense was not good. Could not make a stop. Rodgers made things look easy. They held down the run game, but that didn't really do much. Rodgers and the passing game were on fire the entire game.

The Giants are still in it, technically. But, they'll need a lot of luck. They had a chance to take care of business today, and they didn't. They didn't come out with a sense of urgency, or purpose. They can't get by on sheer talent. They've tried, and it doesn't work. They just keep shooting themselves in the foot. You had a chance to make the playoffs, and they played sloppy football. Hope isn't completely lost. But it's hanging on a thread.

The 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first team since the NFL merger to start ten different rookies at some point in the season and finish with a winning record. This game was a must-win against a team that wound up having nothing to play for. Josh Freeman made his case for the best young quarterback in all of football, besting his season high of 2 TD passes by 3.

THE GOOD

The offense
After a shaky first drive that went only 3 yards, the Bucs only punted two more times and didn’t turn the ball over. This was due – in large part – to Josh Freeman. He kept plays alive, took advantage of a tired Seahawk defense and had his best game of his career – all this without Arrelious Benn or Earnest Graham for much of the day. The top aerial playmakers Williams and Winslow had two touchdowns apiece. Through 15 games, they have 10 and 5 TDs respectively. 2009’s top-scoring pass-catchers – Winslow and Bryant – had 5 and 4. 2008’s top-scoring pass-catchers  – Bryant and Hilliard – had 7 and 4. Before Josh Johnson was brought in (and went 2/2), Freeman completed passes to 10 different receivers.

The Seahawks defense has been smacked around all year, but credit must go to the Bucs for abusing them in so many ways. Josh Freeman finished with 21 of 26, 237 yards, 5 TDs and zero turnovers. LeGarrette Blount churned up 18 carries for 164 yards and had this highlight run. He also got his first catch since the 7th game of the season.

THE BAD

Nothing
I don’t know how else to put it. They dominated defensively (3/15 third down conversions for Seattle; only 10 first downs, the seventh time Tampa has held an opponent to fewer than 20; Geno Hayes had the first multi-sack game of his career with 2.0) and Michael Spurlock had a 79-yard kick return. The Bucs’ average play went for 7.8 vs. Seattle’s 3.3.

LOOKING AHEAD: This is where it gets interesting.  Here are their playoff scenarios:

Spot #5 – Wildcard

Case 1
Buccaneers beat the Saints, and
Falcons beat the Saints, and
Bears beat the Packers, and
Redskins beat the Giants

Spot #6 – Wildcard

Case 1
Buccaneers beat the Saints, and
Falcons beat the Saints, and
Bears beat the Packers

Case 2
Buccaneers beat the Saints, and
Falcons beat the Saints, and
Redskins beat the Giants

Case 3
Buccaneers beat the Saints, and
Bears beat the Packers, and
Redskins beat the Giants

Of all these, I most like Case 2 because it doesn’t involve the Bears beating Green Bay. Whatever the case, the race to 10 is almost complete. Time to make a statement in New Orleans, irrespective of playoff implications.

(Chris writes for Buccaneers Gab)