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Matches in solo summary
Carolina Panthers (8-7) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) : 23-20
Denver Broncos (12-3) – Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) : 20-34
Detroit Lions (8-7) – Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) : 24-29
Sunday start at 22:00.
Arizona Cardinals (3-12) – Atlanta Falcons (6-9) : 19-26
Atlanta is rekindling its spirit. In a timid season, the Falcons at least have the merit of beating the weaker teams in this league. Therefore, this end of the season is more of a final squad review. Kirk Cousins has shown he can be one center back pass on safety (21/35, 197 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception). The defense claims its progress is led by unbridled youth.
But most of all: Bijan Robinson (RB) is the superstar of this franchise. He is both the pilot and the engine. He was the one who got the Falcons back on track after a shaky start. He is the one who created the most dangerous situations himself. He was the one who made Cardinals defenders look like crazy people chasing a ghost. He finished with 16 carries for 76 yards rushing and 7 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
On the Arizona side, state psychologists have work to do. Depression threatens fans as much as players who have suffered a seventh straight loss. Hospitals will also have to deal with two new players in wheelchairs, who are added to the long list of injured. There is absolutely nothing to salvage from this match, from the players to the coaches. (Cyprien Delmas)
Houston Texans (10-5) – Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) : 23-21
In the NFL, a win is a win. And luckily for Texans, there is no artistic note. Against the Raiders, perhaps the worst team in the league, we had to wait until the final minutes to see Houston triumph.
Shy on offense, with CJ Stroud (23/35, 187 yards, 1 TD) in junior form, Houston relied on a defense that was still dominant. It was also Derek Stingley who opened the scoring with a six, a symbol of the importance of the defensive side. Even the line did the job with 3 sacks and a lot of pressure.
On the Raiders side, Ashton Jeanty (188 yards, 2 TD) and Brock Bowers (33 yards, 1 TD) tried to carry the offense, to no avail. Geno Smith (16/23, 201 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) is still below par and the defense can’t hang around forever. So it’s a loss for the Texans, still firmly in the playoff race. For the Raiders it’s a “final” for the program’s first draft pick against the Giants. (Victor Roullier)
Sunday kick off at 7pm.
Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) : 17-34
A fiery first half, a lopsided second, and a sensational Justin Herbert (QB, 23/29, 300 yards, 2 TDs, 44 rushing yards, 1 TD). That sums up a spectacular game first and foremost, with great rushing and receiving by George Pickens (WR, 7 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD) and Quentin Johnston (WR, 4 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD). And then California’s defense turned its head. Dallas ended up missing a fourth down attempt in the red zone late in the third quarter, a touchdown behind LA. After that, nothing more for the Cowboys and Chargers who eagerly await the results from Houston and Indianapolis for a possible playoff berth this week.
Uncharacteristically rushed on defense, the Chargers buckled down and let the storm pass before finding a solution. On the attacking side, nothing to say as Justin Herbert masterfully managed this match. Several receivers were involved, the running game continues to work with a good Omarion Hampton (RB, 16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD). The many injuries on the offensive line were hardly felt today.
For Dallas, there are no big lessons to be learned from this matchup. Outside of the playoffs, Dak Prescott (QB, 21/30, 244 yards, 2 TDs) and his teammates played like anything else all year. A level attack, a defense too weak to hope for anything. Thank you and see you next year. (Hugo Brown)
Cleveland Browns (3-12) – Buffalo Bills (11-4) : 20-23
The Buffalo Bills won an important game in the playoff race. But it was much more difficult than expected. Sean McDermott’s men beat the Browns thanks to a decisive James Cook (134 yards, 2 TD) and a sloppy Shedeur Sanders (157 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 49 rushing yards) for the Browns.
Cleveland opened the scoring with promising rookie Harold Fannin Jr. (34 yards, 1 TD). This is the only time the Browns will lead in this game. Josh Allen was a non-factor in this game (19/12, 130 yards), but he managed to limit the mistakes. If the Browns have more yards in the game, Sanders’ two interceptions were fatal.
Gregory Rousseau (2.5 disposals) and his team managed to hold on in an exciting end to the game. With this win, the Bills are almost in the playoffs. They will have to bet on a Texans or Colts loss. (Victor Roullier)
New York Giants (2-13) – Minnesota Vikings (7-8) : 13-16
The third straight win for the Vikings that has continued since they were out of the playoff race. A bitter blow for Minnesota that saw JJ McCarthy (9/14, 108 yards, 1int; 2 carries, 20 yards, 1TD) hurt his hand just before halftime. Before that, the young quarterback showed he was in the right dynamic, started three weeks ago, despite numerous drops from the receivers.
His replacement, Mike Brosmer (7/9, 52 yards), was less disastrous than when he started in Seattle. He also was often content to hand the ball off to Aaron Jones (21 carries, 85 yards) slowed by an ankle injury.
Opposite game, very complicated for Jaxon Dart (7/13, 33 yards, 1 in) who was sacked five times and who looked lost against Brian Flores’ tackles. The Giants mostly struggled on the ground, but neither Tyrone Tracy (16 carries, 71 yards) nor Devin Singletary (11 carries, 47 yards) could make a difference. In the end, the defense will have scored as many points as the offense this Sunday, with Tyler Nubin’s touchdown. (Brice Duhamel)
Tennessee Titans (3-12) – Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) : 26-9
In this meeting without shares, except for the “honor” places, the general level was laughable for the first half. It must be said that the Kansas City Beast is more than hurt. After Patrick Mahomes (QB), it was his replacement Gardner Minshew who had to leave the field. So, room for Chris Oladoku (11/16, 111 yards) who for the first time with significant playing time produced a good record behind a porous line.
In the flashback game, it was once again Jeffery Simmons (DT, Titans) who was able to do well (2 tackles for loss, 2 pass deflections). It was he who broke the deadlock in the game by opening the scoring on a safety after a tackle for loss in the end zone. Now if we’re looking for consistency in this matchup, we have to turn to… Cam Ward (21/28, 228 yards, 2 touchdowns). The centre-back has for once assumed his status as a leader from the beginning to the end of a meeting, without any gaps.
It is thanks to this consistency that the Titans have logically taken matters into their own hands. Tennessee presents itself in its best light to attract the next coach. Kansas City’s pressure offense left its defense on the field for long periods of time. Before long, she ended up tired. And it’s a whole franchise that is tired and already waiting for the new season. (Cyprien Delmas)
Miami Dolphins (6-9) – Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) : 21-45
First up for Quinn Ewers (20/30, 260 yards, 2 INTs) for Miami, and the rookie quarterback is having a mixed evening. His first period was clean where he returned a record of 10/12, with 109 yards. No touchdowns, of course, but luckily, for that, he can count on the elusive DeVon Achane (15 carries, 81 yards, TD) in addition to Malik Washington. Miami is behind, but stays at halftime (14-17).
Unfortunately, he experienced a nightmare third quarter, like his entire team. A habit for the Dolphins this season. One of his passes, deflected by cornerback Josh Newton, landed in the arms of rookie linebacker Barrett Carter. Another is sublimely intercepted by Jalen Davis. Before that, one of his completed passes to Greg Dulcich ended up in a lost fumble. To top it all off, he doesn’t convert a 1-yard 4th down attempt for a gain.
The problem is that all of these mistakes will be punished every time by an effective Bengals offense, led by a great Chase Brown (12 carries, 66 yards, TD – 4 REC, 43 yards, 2 TD). A streak of 28 points from which the Dolphins would never recover, and on which the Bengals build their victory. Needless to say, Joe Burrow (25/32, 309 yards, 4 TDs) does the bare minimum. The humiliation in Florida becomes total, with Joe Flacco and the Bengals’ secondary knives coming in to end the game ten minutes into the game. (Nithinya Simuong)
New Orleans Saints (5-10) – New York Jets (3-12) : 29-6
Jets no longer have an offense. 195 meters in total. 2/15 on third attempt. 0/2 in the red zone. Add to that two lost balloons. Even against the Saints, you don’t have to push.
Both teams were ineffective in the final yards, with field goals throughout the first half. New Orleans leads 9-6 at the break. After returning from the locker room, after three more shots, it was Chris Olave who finally found his way to the end zone (16-6) on a pass from Tyler Shough (32/49, 308 yards, 1 TD). This is where the Jets pick the worst time to get two possessions, penalized with two new touchdowns (22-6). Finally, a Taysom Hill pass to the Olave duo (10 rec, 148 yards, 2 TDs) ends New York’s last hopes.
Brady Cook (22/35, 188 yards, 1 int) did what he could, not helped by a stalled ground game (3.2 yards/run) and a line that allowed 8 sacks! (Alain Mattei)
