Week 13 is over and the NFC playoff picture is getting crazy in the wild card. The Vikings, Saints, Rams and Eagles still control their divisions. Seattle won to strengthen their wild card but the Panthers and Falcons lost opening the door for Detroit, Green Bay and Dallas. Let’s take a look at the North games
Packers 26 Buccaneers 20
Green Bay stayed alive without Aaron Rodgers with their second win in a row. Green Bay had 199 rushing yards with 2 TDs to lead them to victory. Brett Hundley was awful with only 84 yards but the Packers defense and rushing attack kept them alive.
The Packers turned a short field into a TD and a 10-7 lead. A crazy pick 6 by Dean Lowry gave the Packers a 17-7 lead on the next drive. Tampa Bay would take control of the rest of the game and build a 20-17 lead. However, some Jamaal Williams running, a Hundley scramble and a first down to Davante Adams helped to get into field goal range. Crosby tied the game up. Green Bay’s defense held strong and forced over time.
The Packers got the ball to start overtime 72 yards with all run game. Jamaal Williams ran well, Hundley scrambled twice and Aaron Jones came back for one carry. It was a big carry as he ran 20 yards for the game winning TD. Green Bay moves to 6-6 and has hope for the return of Rodgers.
Minnesota 19 Atlanta 9
The Vikings went into Atlanta and held them to three field goals. The Vikings offense sputtered a bit but managed two TDs for an impressive road win. The Vikings move to 10-2 and control the NFC North. One more win and they clinch the division.
49ers 15 Bears 14
How does this happen. Terrible loss for the Bears with Trubisky and the Bears offense doing nothing. Former Bear, Robbie Gould kicked five field goals for some revenge.
Ravens 44 Lions 20
This was really bad. The Ravens dominated the first half for a 20-0 lead. Detroit couldn’t get out of their own way with a Prater miss, Worrilow special team personal foul, Stafford bobbled snap to put them out of field goal range and a strip sack giving the Ravens a short field already up 10-0.
Baltimore led 3-0 in a slow first quarter. Flacco realized he had a deep threat and connected to Mike Wallace for 66 yards right after the Prater missed goal that would have tied the game at 3. The game went from a possible 3-3 game to 10-0 Ravens. The Stafford strip sack was hit from the blind side and the Ravens took over at the Lions 31. They made quick work and scored for the 17-0 lead.
Late in the first half, Detroit couldn’t move the ball. With 28 second left, Detroit went 3 and out but stopped the clock due to a Taylor Decker hold. This gave the Ravens enough time coupled with a terrible punt by Sam Martin. Baltimore turned the short field into one first down and a Tucker field goal for the 20-0 half time lead.
Detroit woke up in the second half. The Lions took the opening drive of the half for 75 yards in 7 plays for the TD. Tate, Ebron and Marvin Jones caught big first downs. Riddick punched it in the end zone from 4 yards out.
The Lions defense finally did something and made a big stop. Detroit didn’t’ capitalize and went 3 and out. Detroit made another big stop but this time capitalized. Detroit went 75 yards in 7 plays and got back into the game with a Tion Green TD run. Prater missed the extra point and Detroit was down only 7 at 20-13.
Detroit’s defense failed the Lions. They allowed three first downs and seemingly got a fumble on second time for a big turnover. However, they ruled incomplete. Detroit made the biggest gaffe ever on 3rd and 7 with only 9 players on the field for defense. The Ravens converted for 23 yards and the first down. Alex Collins ran for the TD for 7 yards and the Ravens took control up 27-13.
Detroit would refuse to quit and went 75 yards again in five plays. Marvin Jones caught a 46 yarder and rookie Michael Roberts made a big 23-yard completion. Stafford hit linebacker Nick Bellore for a TD as he came into the game as a full back. Detroit was in the game at 27-20 again.
The Lions special teams made a huge gaffe. They kicked short and allowed a big return of 29 yards to the Ravens 44-yard line. The Ravens converted a 3rd and 2 to Alex Collins for 14 yards. The Lions defense held strong but Tucker nailed the 51-yard field goal for the 30-20 lead.
Things got ugly after that. Stafford was sacked on first down by Suggs. On second down, Stafford was pressured and threw a jump ball into double coverage. Rookie Marlon Humphrey picked off the pass and set up yet another short field for the Ravens. Stafford got his hand stepped on after the play and had to leave the game. X rays were negative but if Stafford misses time the Lions are done.
Jake Rudock threw a pick 6 and the Ravens ended up with a laugher winning 44-20.
The Lions are 6-6 and must win out to make the playoffs. Carolina at 1-3 or 2-2, Atlanta at 2-2 and Seattle at 2-2 if Carolina goes 2-2 are possible. However, Detroit must play much much much better than they did on Sunday. Stafford needs to healthy for the last four games or the Lions are toast.