simmytbone
12-27-2014, 08:53 AM
Hey guys,
Week #16 will decide to will take the NFC South Crown
The Panthers def. the Browns while the Falcons have swept the Saints
Here are the stories:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141221_CLE@CAR
Panthers beat Browns 17-13, move into first place
By STEVE REED | AP Sports Writer
Dec. 21, 2014
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers never quit on the season, and now have a chance to repeat as NFC South champions.
Cam Newton threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and the Panthers defeated the Cleveland Browns 17-13 on Sunday to take sole possession of first place in the division.
The victory sets up a winner-take-all showdown next Sunday at Atlanta between the Panthers (6-8-1) and Falcons (6-9) for the division title. It also guarantees a team without even a .500 record will win the NFC South.
The winner will join the 2010 Seattle Seahawks as the only teams to reach the postseason in a non-strike-shortened season with a losing record.
''Now it all comes down to one game and that's all we can ask for is to be in that situation,'' Panthers coach Ron Rivera said.
The Panthers have now won three straight after going more than two months without a victory. The Browns (7-8) were eliminated from contention when San Diego beat San Francisco on Saturday.
Newton threw for 201 yards and ran for 63 just 12 days after the quarterback suffered two fractures in his lower back following an automobile accident. Jonathan Stewart ran for 122 yards and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Newton.
''It speaks to his toughness,'' Rivera said of Newton.
Johnny Manziel made his second NFL start for Cleveland, left with 1:49 left in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return.
The Panthers led most of the game before Browns tight end Jordan Cameron got behind the secondary and hauled in an 81-yard touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer. That gave Cleveland its first lead of the game at 13-10 with about 10 minutes remaining.
The Browns had just 126 yards on offense before that play and just 228 yards all afternoon.
But Newton, looking healthy and mobile in escaping from the pocket, drove the Panthers back downfield. He completed a 9-yard pass to Stewart, who slipped out of the backfield untouched and found an open pocket in the end zone.
Carolina appeared to seal the game when cornerback Josh Norman intercepted a deep Hoyer pass on Cleveland's next possession. But the flamboyant cornerback returned the ball, holding it away from his body with one hand, and fumbled it back to the Browns when hit from behind.
That gave the Browns one last shot.
But Carolina's defense held, with Kawann Short coming up with a big sack on Hoyer, and Thomas Davis making an open field tackle to force a punt with less than four minutes remaining.
Carolina put the game away when Stewart broke off a 30-yard run on third-and-6.
The Panthers led 10-3 at halftime behind a 2-yard run by Newton on a bootleg late in the second quarter. Newton faked a handoff to Mike Tolbert and followed a key block by tight end Greg Olsen into the end zone.
A few minutes later Manziel sprinted out to his left. Linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Colin Jones converged on Manziel, taking him to the ground for a 1-yard loss. Manziel attempted to get up, then fell back to the ground.
He finished 3 of 8 for 32 yards. He also ran twice for 3 yards.
Hoyer was 7 of 13 for 134 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Meanwhile....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141221_ATL@NO
Falcons eliminate Saints 30-14, setting up Panthers showdown
By BRETT MARTEL | AP Sports Writer
Dec. 22, 2014
NEW ORLEANS (AP) A tenacious play by two backup defenders on Jimmy Graham's catch at the goal line - and a little help from a disputed ruling - helped save Atlanta's postseason hopes and ultimately sank the Saints.
New Orleans may have been done in anyway by Julio Jones' remarkable return from a hip injury. But the 30-14 Falcons triumph that eliminated the Saints from playoff contention Sunday may be most remembered for officials' decision to rule Graham's fourth-quarter catch a fumble instead of a touchdown.
''Did I think it was a score? Yes,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said. ''It looked pretty clear and yet - look - it is what it is, right? They go back to (NFL headquarters in) New York with that and it's disappointing.''
Atlanta (6-9) next meets Carolina (6-8-1) for the NFC South title next week in the Georgia Dome. The Saints (6-9) are left with an anticlimactic visit to Tampa Bay.
Graham's fumble came on the first play of the fourth quarter. The star tight end leaped to grab Drew Brees' pass and came down at the goal line, his body writhing as he tried to force his way past reserve safety Dezmen Southward. Fellow Falcons safety Kemal Ishmael converged immediately and ripped the ball away, then recovered it.
The initial ruling was a fumble and Falcons recovery.
Graham's forward progress appeared to have been stopped before the ball came loose, but that was not reviewable.
At least one replay angle showed that the ball may have broken the plane of the goal line, and the Superdome crowd roared when it was shown on large video boards. However, referee John Parry could not find evidence conclusive enough to overturn the call. Parry's announcement spawned a cascade of boos from anxious Saints fans, whose team remained down 20-7 with its playoff hopes fading.
''There was nothing clear and undisputable to make a change to the ruling from the field,'' Parry said.
Graham was not present when locker rooms were opened to reporters.
Southward said he never had a good look at whether Graham got in.
''I was too busy putting my face in his ribs. I was just trying to keep him out,'' Southward said. ''All that credit goes to Kemal, obviously coming in and not quitting on the play.''
Brees said he thought Graham scored, calling the consequences of the ruling, ''huge.''
While the play was a momentum changer, Atlanta might have won anyway.
After not practicing or playing for about two weeks, Jones caught seven passes for 107 yards.
''I felt OK. I know I needed to be out there with my teammates,'' Jones said. ''When the ball is in the air, I got to get it. I don't hear nothing. I don't feel nothing.''
Jones made his presence felt with one double-digit-yard reception after another, including third-down catches of 12 and 24 yards during the Falcons' first touchdown drive.
Matt Ryan completed 30 of 40 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown, and Devonta Freeman ran for a 31-yard score.
The Saints committed three turnovers in the fourth quarter in their fifth straight loss at home and were eliminated officially with Carolina's victory over Cleveland.
New Orleans still had a chance to drive for a winning score in the final three minutes, but Robert McClain's interception in Saints territory set up a Falcons field goal.
Osi Umenyiora then returned Brees' fumble for an 86-yard TD as time expired. Umenyiora turned and waved goodbye to the Falcons' long-time rivals as he trotted downfield on a play that punctuated a resurgent performance for a Falcons defense that was banged up and ranked last in the NFL.
Atlanta sacked Brees five times, the most this season for the Falcons' defense.
Brees finished 30 of 47 for 313 yards and one touchdown to Graham, which pulled the Saints as close as 20-14 with 5:48 to go. Brees was also intercepted by Desmond Trufant on a fourth-down pass in the first half.
Seeking to fire up the home crowd in a crucial game, the Saints changed their introductions, turning off the house lights during a pyrotechnic display while fans held up their mobile phones as if at a concert.
Fans then went into a frenzy when Jalen Saunders returned the opening kickoff 99 yards to set up Mark Ingram's 1-yard touchdown run.
But those celebrations were short-lived as the Falcons scored the next 20 points.
Notes: Falcons running back Steve Jackson (quad), safety Williams Moore (shoulder) and cornerback Josh Wilson (hamstring) all left the game and coach Mike Smith did not update their status. ... The Saints lost five straight at home in the same season for the first time since 1980, when Archie Manning was quarterback and New Orleans went 1-15.
credit: cbssports.com
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014122100/2014/REG16/browns@panthers
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014122104/2014/REG16/falcons@saints
Well guys, the Falcons FINALLY got a win over the Saints in New Orleans for the 1st time in 4 years, but also, Matt Ryan and Mike Smith have swept Drew Brees and Sean Payton and they could be on the verge of sweeping the NFC South
Cam Newton vs. Matt Ryan will be This Sunday Afternoon on CBS
Matt Ryan and Cam Newton
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/CamNewtonMattRyanAtlantaFalconsvCarolinajeEAMcVK_ETl_zpsb6988975.jpg
Mike Smith and Ron Rivera
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/RonRiveraAtlantaFalconsvCarolinaPanthersuhgDa5kL4n4l_zps3c0db559.jpg
Week #16 will decide to will take the NFC South Crown
The Panthers def. the Browns while the Falcons have swept the Saints
Here are the stories:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141221_CLE@CAR
Panthers beat Browns 17-13, move into first place
By STEVE REED | AP Sports Writer
Dec. 21, 2014
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers never quit on the season, and now have a chance to repeat as NFC South champions.
Cam Newton threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and the Panthers defeated the Cleveland Browns 17-13 on Sunday to take sole possession of first place in the division.
The victory sets up a winner-take-all showdown next Sunday at Atlanta between the Panthers (6-8-1) and Falcons (6-9) for the division title. It also guarantees a team without even a .500 record will win the NFC South.
The winner will join the 2010 Seattle Seahawks as the only teams to reach the postseason in a non-strike-shortened season with a losing record.
''Now it all comes down to one game and that's all we can ask for is to be in that situation,'' Panthers coach Ron Rivera said.
The Panthers have now won three straight after going more than two months without a victory. The Browns (7-8) were eliminated from contention when San Diego beat San Francisco on Saturday.
Newton threw for 201 yards and ran for 63 just 12 days after the quarterback suffered two fractures in his lower back following an automobile accident. Jonathan Stewart ran for 122 yards and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Newton.
''It speaks to his toughness,'' Rivera said of Newton.
Johnny Manziel made his second NFL start for Cleveland, left with 1:49 left in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return.
The Panthers led most of the game before Browns tight end Jordan Cameron got behind the secondary and hauled in an 81-yard touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer. That gave Cleveland its first lead of the game at 13-10 with about 10 minutes remaining.
The Browns had just 126 yards on offense before that play and just 228 yards all afternoon.
But Newton, looking healthy and mobile in escaping from the pocket, drove the Panthers back downfield. He completed a 9-yard pass to Stewart, who slipped out of the backfield untouched and found an open pocket in the end zone.
Carolina appeared to seal the game when cornerback Josh Norman intercepted a deep Hoyer pass on Cleveland's next possession. But the flamboyant cornerback returned the ball, holding it away from his body with one hand, and fumbled it back to the Browns when hit from behind.
That gave the Browns one last shot.
But Carolina's defense held, with Kawann Short coming up with a big sack on Hoyer, and Thomas Davis making an open field tackle to force a punt with less than four minutes remaining.
Carolina put the game away when Stewart broke off a 30-yard run on third-and-6.
The Panthers led 10-3 at halftime behind a 2-yard run by Newton on a bootleg late in the second quarter. Newton faked a handoff to Mike Tolbert and followed a key block by tight end Greg Olsen into the end zone.
A few minutes later Manziel sprinted out to his left. Linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Colin Jones converged on Manziel, taking him to the ground for a 1-yard loss. Manziel attempted to get up, then fell back to the ground.
He finished 3 of 8 for 32 yards. He also ran twice for 3 yards.
Hoyer was 7 of 13 for 134 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Meanwhile....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141221_ATL@NO
Falcons eliminate Saints 30-14, setting up Panthers showdown
By BRETT MARTEL | AP Sports Writer
Dec. 22, 2014
NEW ORLEANS (AP) A tenacious play by two backup defenders on Jimmy Graham's catch at the goal line - and a little help from a disputed ruling - helped save Atlanta's postseason hopes and ultimately sank the Saints.
New Orleans may have been done in anyway by Julio Jones' remarkable return from a hip injury. But the 30-14 Falcons triumph that eliminated the Saints from playoff contention Sunday may be most remembered for officials' decision to rule Graham's fourth-quarter catch a fumble instead of a touchdown.
''Did I think it was a score? Yes,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said. ''It looked pretty clear and yet - look - it is what it is, right? They go back to (NFL headquarters in) New York with that and it's disappointing.''
Atlanta (6-9) next meets Carolina (6-8-1) for the NFC South title next week in the Georgia Dome. The Saints (6-9) are left with an anticlimactic visit to Tampa Bay.
Graham's fumble came on the first play of the fourth quarter. The star tight end leaped to grab Drew Brees' pass and came down at the goal line, his body writhing as he tried to force his way past reserve safety Dezmen Southward. Fellow Falcons safety Kemal Ishmael converged immediately and ripped the ball away, then recovered it.
The initial ruling was a fumble and Falcons recovery.
Graham's forward progress appeared to have been stopped before the ball came loose, but that was not reviewable.
At least one replay angle showed that the ball may have broken the plane of the goal line, and the Superdome crowd roared when it was shown on large video boards. However, referee John Parry could not find evidence conclusive enough to overturn the call. Parry's announcement spawned a cascade of boos from anxious Saints fans, whose team remained down 20-7 with its playoff hopes fading.
''There was nothing clear and undisputable to make a change to the ruling from the field,'' Parry said.
Graham was not present when locker rooms were opened to reporters.
Southward said he never had a good look at whether Graham got in.
''I was too busy putting my face in his ribs. I was just trying to keep him out,'' Southward said. ''All that credit goes to Kemal, obviously coming in and not quitting on the play.''
Brees said he thought Graham scored, calling the consequences of the ruling, ''huge.''
While the play was a momentum changer, Atlanta might have won anyway.
After not practicing or playing for about two weeks, Jones caught seven passes for 107 yards.
''I felt OK. I know I needed to be out there with my teammates,'' Jones said. ''When the ball is in the air, I got to get it. I don't hear nothing. I don't feel nothing.''
Jones made his presence felt with one double-digit-yard reception after another, including third-down catches of 12 and 24 yards during the Falcons' first touchdown drive.
Matt Ryan completed 30 of 40 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown, and Devonta Freeman ran for a 31-yard score.
The Saints committed three turnovers in the fourth quarter in their fifth straight loss at home and were eliminated officially with Carolina's victory over Cleveland.
New Orleans still had a chance to drive for a winning score in the final three minutes, but Robert McClain's interception in Saints territory set up a Falcons field goal.
Osi Umenyiora then returned Brees' fumble for an 86-yard TD as time expired. Umenyiora turned and waved goodbye to the Falcons' long-time rivals as he trotted downfield on a play that punctuated a resurgent performance for a Falcons defense that was banged up and ranked last in the NFL.
Atlanta sacked Brees five times, the most this season for the Falcons' defense.
Brees finished 30 of 47 for 313 yards and one touchdown to Graham, which pulled the Saints as close as 20-14 with 5:48 to go. Brees was also intercepted by Desmond Trufant on a fourth-down pass in the first half.
Seeking to fire up the home crowd in a crucial game, the Saints changed their introductions, turning off the house lights during a pyrotechnic display while fans held up their mobile phones as if at a concert.
Fans then went into a frenzy when Jalen Saunders returned the opening kickoff 99 yards to set up Mark Ingram's 1-yard touchdown run.
But those celebrations were short-lived as the Falcons scored the next 20 points.
Notes: Falcons running back Steve Jackson (quad), safety Williams Moore (shoulder) and cornerback Josh Wilson (hamstring) all left the game and coach Mike Smith did not update their status. ... The Saints lost five straight at home in the same season for the first time since 1980, when Archie Manning was quarterback and New Orleans went 1-15.
credit: cbssports.com
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014122100/2014/REG16/browns@panthers
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014122104/2014/REG16/falcons@saints
Well guys, the Falcons FINALLY got a win over the Saints in New Orleans for the 1st time in 4 years, but also, Matt Ryan and Mike Smith have swept Drew Brees and Sean Payton and they could be on the verge of sweeping the NFC South
Cam Newton vs. Matt Ryan will be This Sunday Afternoon on CBS
Matt Ryan and Cam Newton
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/CamNewtonMattRyanAtlantaFalconsvCarolinajeEAMcVK_ETl_zpsb6988975.jpg
Mike Smith and Ron Rivera
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/RonRiveraAtlantaFalconsvCarolinaPanthersuhgDa5kL4n4l_zps3c0db559.jpg