Week 14 NFL Review: Josh Allen Denied Hollywood Comeback
Al Pacino’s famous speech, as Coach D’Amato, memorably delivered in Any Given Sunday highlights the importance of focus and minute detail: “inch by inch, play by play, ‘til we are finished.” Most observers will pass this off as Hollywood dramatisation of a sport that is more defined by individual excellence, rather than cohesion, composure and grit! That speech was embodied, to many people’s annoyance, during this week’s gameweek by the Chiefs! The last second “Doink” Field Goal looked to miss: but “doink”ed the left side goal post and over the bar to win against the Chargers and the AFC West … much to the annoyance of the other teams! The Chiefs’ attention to detail, never-say-die attitude and calmness under pressure is a wonder to behold … and EXTREMELY frustrating to watch week-in, week-out!
Lions Outlast Packers
With a mere 42 seconds to go, Dan Campbell faced a tough decision. It was fourth down and inches on the Packers’ twenty-one yard line. The Lions were tied 31-31 with the Packers … and he made the right one! Under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football, Campbell approved the play: and running back David Montgomery converted! The time used allowed the Lions to run down the clock and claim another win: the Jake Bates Field Goal saw the Lions rise to 12-1: a record that very few analysts would have predicted during the pre-season! In front of 17.29million viewers, Jared Goff went 32 completed for 41 attempts: with three touchdowns and 283 yards. The Lions’ Defense were ferocious: with Jordan Love limited to just twenty attempts: completing a mere twelve completed.
Lions 34 Packers 31
The Rams Shock the Bills
Twelve Touchdowns! 902 yards of offense! ZERO turnovers! For many neutral observers this game will go down as THE game of the season: just don’t ask the stressed out fans of each team. This game ebbed and flowed beautifully with Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen duelling it out from the respective QB positions. Stafford threw for 320 yards in total: he found Puka Nacua for 178 yards and two touchdowns. This near unstoppable team were on the top of their game and HAD to be! MVP candidate Josh Allen set the game alight: he passed for 342 yards; rushed for 82 yards; and topped the performance with three rushing TDs and three passing TDs. He became the very first player in the League’s history to do so. Yet, the Rams were resolute and held on: the Bills running out of time having scored three TDs in the third quarter.
Rams 44 Bills 42
Vikings Obliterate Falcons
Sam Darnold’s five touchdown game spoiled Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota: Darnold connected with Justin Jeferson and Jordan Addison for a mouthwatering 265 yards and those five TDs. Darnold went 22 for 28 in total. His three TDs in the third quarter completely buried a floundering and exhausted Falcons. Cousins tried to energise the Falcons, and even though he passed for 347 yards, his two interceptions and 23 completions for 37 attempts will leave a sour taste in his mouth when he reflects on this game. The Falcons, now 6-7, remain steadfast in their support of Cousins, who has now thrown six interceptions in two games!
Vikings 42 Falcons 21
While Josh Allen was denied his Hollywood ending to Week Fourteen, the Chiefs were not. Many would hope the Chiefs would lose the luck they have supposedly been clinging to for so many games this season! D’Amato emphasised sacrifice and a fraternal spirit of togetherness: a bond Andy Reid has forged in his roster. He has integrated the maverick receiver Deandre Hopkins and has reaped the benefit: bolstering and refreshing a receiving corps that looked depleted of energy and renewed a threat in an offense that were creaking. We appreciate the mavericks, the renegades and the stoics in this sport! Perhaps we see a bit of ourselves in them:
“Now I think you’re gonna see a guy who will go that inch with you. You’re gonna see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows, when it comes down to it, you’re gonna do the same for him! That’s a team, gentleman!”