Week 14 Review: Drama Aplenty in Week Fourteen
Well, have you been able to calm down and take a deep breath yet? The Week Fourteen Results have huge implications for several teams’ play off aspirations. The Jaguars are the surprise package for the AFC: while the continued demise of the Chiefs have shocked. The rise, and fall, of the Colts has been followed with a sense of sadness amongst fans of all teams: the image of a downed Daniel Jones brought many sympathetic responses from all around the league. Anger even from some comments on social media: many identifying a clearly debilitated Jones in Week Thirteen ought to have been protected this week. Aside from these headlines, we will cover the exciting game in a snowy Highmark Stadium, the tentative joy amongst Steelers fans after a win against the Ravens and the exploits of Ireland’s Charlie Smyth in his first win as a starter for the Saints.
Bills Best Bengals in Shootout
The potential return of Joe Burrow, and the possibility of a duel against a red hot Josh Allen, lead many fans and commentators to pinpoint this game as “must see.” And we were not let down! Allen and Burrow duked it out, with the Bengals QB throwing three TDs in the first half alone. Allen roared to life in the fourth quarter with three TDs to surge the Bills past the Bengals to 39-34: and a record of 9-4. Allen, despite being sacked three times, remained composed despite being harassed continuously by the Bengals defense. He was able to avoid the interceptions, two, that Burrow threw that switched momentum to the opposition. Allen was imperious completing 22 of 28, for 251 yards and 3 TDs. This was Allen’s first ever recorded win against Burrow: could it be the first of many “First” key victories this year for Allen on the road to the Superbowl? Burrow was fantastic in his return, completing 284 yards from 25 yards and 4 TDs. At 4-9, it would appear that Burrows’ return is too late for the Bengals: the Bills are comfortably within the top five of the AFC.
Bills 39 (9-4) Bengals 34 (4-9)
Steelers Return to Summit of AFC North
The ebb and flow of this AFC North grudge match had fans of both sides watching from between their fingers and from behind the couch on plenty of occasions! The Steelers surged into a 17-9 lead by the end of the first half, but as expected the Steelers allowed their opponent back into the game. Lamar Jackson was unable to find his targets, completing 19 of 35. This included a bizarre call by the officials to rule out a 4th Quarter TD reception by Isaiah Likely as incomplete. Likely was ruled NOT to be in control of the ball by his third step of the “reception.” Jackson was sacked on two occasions and threw one interception that highlighted his lack of options, his own lack of fitness after being rushed back from injury and the continued struggle with the run game. Aaron Rodgers’ own experience in this game mirrored Jackson’s own experience. Rodgers’ lost OT Andrus Peat and TE Darnell Washington to concussions: but the veteran completed 23 passes for 284 yards: more importantly, he avoided sacks and interceptions. The win sees the Steelers regain control of the AFC North from the Ravens and moves Mike Tomlin’s team to a 7-6 record, while condemning John Harbaugh’s side to a 6-7 (sorry!) record. The Ravens will be out for revenge when these sides play again on Week Eighteen on 4 January.
Steelers 27 (7-6) Ravens 22 (6-7)
Smyth Helps Saints Shock Buccs
Ireland’s Charlie Smyth successfully kicked 4 from 5 attempts in a surprise Saints win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during this game in challenging weather conditions in Florida. The Saints came out on top due to a mix of Smyth’s composure and challenging conditions for both QBs. Both Tyler Shough and Baker Mayfield threw interceptions, and both found the swirling wind and pouring rain difficult to contend with. Shough went 13 of 20 for a mere 144 yards. Mayfield too struggled with 14 of 30 completions. The conditions meant Smyth’s 48 yard second quartered Field Goal attempt narrowly missed, but he recovered his resolve to complete one other Field Goal and three PATs. While the Saints miss the play offs, at 3-10, here’s hoping Smyth may use the next few weeks to add to his already solid statistics and highlight reel footage. Charlie Abú!
Saints 24 (3-10) Buccaneers 20 (7-6)
We all have a player that we wish played for our team. Growing up I always wished Ruud van Nistelrooy would trade the red of Manchester United for the red of Bayern Munich, alas it was not meant to be! In the NFL, I always hoped Zach Ertz would swap the green of the Philadelphia Eagles for my Pittsburgh Steelers. I always felt he would add a dynamic dimension to the Steelers’ offense. The injury needlessly inflicted upon him by Viking Jay Ward was, therefore, hard to watch. It was a vicious hit delivered with minimal concern for the opponent and with no thought of consequences. Ward has seen countless team mates injured this season in “normal” movements: tweaking groins; rupturing ACLs, etc. It is extremely negligent, therefore, to pursue and intentionally target a receiver defenseless when attempting to land with the ball. Here’s hoping Ertz can recover soon from this devastating injury, even if he never returns to the field.