Cardinals and Redskins CLINCH Divisions in the NFC def. the Eagles on Prime Time

[simmytbone]

Hey guys,

It was a HORRIBLE week for the Philadelphia Eagles

They have lost 2 games in a row on Prime Time Television to 2 teams that have clinched Divisions in the NFC

The Arizona Cardinals BLEW OUT the Eagles on NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL this past Sunday Night to clinch the NFC West for the 1st time in 6 years and tonight on the Season Finale of THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL on Kwanzaa, the Washington Redskins SWEEPS their longtime rival the Philadelphia Eagles for the and have clinched the NFC East for the 1st time in 3 years since the Mike Shanahan Era

Here are the stories:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametra...151220_ARI@PHI


Johnson runs for 3 TDs, Cardinals beat Eagles 40-17
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
Dec. 20, 2015

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Arizona Cardinals are NFC West champions. Now, they have more to accomplish.

David Johnson ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns, Carson Palmer threw a TD pass and the Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 40-17 on Sunday night to clinch their first division title since 2009.

The Cardinals (12-2) will earn a first-round bye with a victory over Green Bay next week. They still have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed if they win out and Carolina (14-0) loses its last two games.

Afterward, coach Bruce Arians wore a hat that said: ''NFC West Champions''

''I have a closet full of them, but this is a good one,'' he said. ''Still, I want one with a lot more written on it.''

The Eagles (6-8) would win the NFC East title if they beat Washington (7-7) at home on Saturday and the Giants (6-8) on the road on Jan. 3.

But they're not even close to Arizona's level.

The Cardinals outclassed Philadelphia in every way on their way to their eighth straight victory.

''If we don't take care of business on Saturday, there's no need to talk about the second game,'' Eagles coach Chip Kelly said.

Johnson, a rookie filling in for injured backs Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington, had a pair of 1-yard TD runs and a 47-yarder.

''I'm just trying to learn, get better and help the team win,'' Johnson said.

Palmer gave Cardinals fans a brief scare when he came out for one play after injuring his right index finger on a throw. But he returned to toss a 16-yard TD pass to John Brown and finished 20 of 32 for 274 yards.

''It's very gratifying to come into this environment against a team that's hot,'' Palmer said. ''It's a blast to be part of this group. We're coached hard and we play hard.''

Deone Bucannon returned Sam Bradford's interception 39 yards for a touchdown to give Arizona a 37-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, sending fans to the exits.

Bradford threw for 361 yards and two TDs, including a 78-yard score to Jordan Matthews.

''Everybody is frustrated,'' Bradford said. ''Good news is we have to have a short memory. The next two games are important.''

Tyrann Mathieu intercepted Bradford's pass late in the fourth quarter and limped off the field. There was no immediate word on his injury.

The Eagles had fumbles end consecutive drives in the third quarter. Bradford lost the ball on a sack by Markus Golden at Arizona's 44 and Ryan Mathews turned it over at midfield.

Johnson broke several tackles on his long run to give the Cardinals a 17-10 lead in the second quarter. He appeared stopped for a short gain, but came out of a pile and sprinted down the right sideline while fighting off defenders.

The Eagles were driving for the tying score, but went for fourth-and-1 at the Cardinals 8 and Mathews was stopped for no gain. DeMarco Murray is 14 for 14 on third and fourth downs of 2 yards or less, but he didn't get a carry until the third quarter.

''We had a 230-pound back in there and we thought we can pound it for a yard,'' Kelly said.

After forcing Arizona's first punt, the Eagles quickly drove 53 yards to tie it at 10 in the second quarter. Mathews started the drive with a 20-yard run on the first play and Bradford connected with Zach Ertz over the middle for a 22-yard TD pass.

The Cardinals easily moved the ball on their opening drive and Johnson ran in from the 1 for a 7-0 lead. Palmer would've had a 78-yard TD pass on the first play from scrimmage but Brown dropped a deep throw in stride.

Bradford went down for one play and Mark Sanchez came in for a handoff. Fans stood up, yelled and motioned for Bradford to get up while he was laying on the field. The Eagles lost two games by a total of 90-31 when Sanchez started two games last month.

Notes: The Cardinals set season franchise records with 12 wins and 445 points. ... Arizona is 5-0 in prime-time games. ... Murray had 2 carries for 3 yards. ... The Eagles lost starting CBs Eric Rowe (concussion) and Byron Maxwell (shoulder). ... Cardinals S Rashad Johnson (ankle) didn't play. ... Matthews had eight catches for a career-best 159 yards.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametra...151226_WAS@PHI


Kirk Cousins throws 4 TD passes, Redskins beat Eagles 38-24
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
Dec. 26, 2015

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Wearing his ''NFC East Champions'' hat, Kirk Cousins made sure he got the last word.

Cousins finished his news conference, turned on his way out and screamed: ''How many of y'all picked us to win the division?'' It sounded like his ''You like that?'' rant two months ago.

The Washington Redskins are division champions, thanks to Cousins and his right arm.

Cousins threw four touchdown passes and had a season-high 365 yards and the Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-24 on Saturday night to win their first division title in three years, completing a worst-to-first season.

''This is the most satisfied I've been as a player,'' Cousins said. ''It's a big accomplishment. Now we need to build from here.''

Only 4-12 in 2014, the Redskins (8-7) began their turnaround when Cousins rallied them from a 24-0 first-half deficit to a 31-30 win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 25. After that game, he yelled at reporters: ''You like that?'' It's become a rallying cry for the Redskins and their fans, who continued the chant for several minutes after the game.

''We felt like we were an up-and-coming football team and could compete with anyone,'' coach Jay Gruden said.

The Redskins have won three straight for the first time since a seven-game winning streak helped them secure the division in 2012 in Robert Griffin III's rookie year.

DeAngelo Hall returned DeMarco Murray's fumble 17 yards for a momentum-changing TD in the third quarter. Cousins threw TD passes to Chris Thompson and Pierre Garcon and a pair to Jordan Reed.

The Eagles (6-9) entered the game in control of their playoff hopes. They needed to beat the Redskins and Giants next week to win the East. Washington's win also eliminated New York (6-8).

''I think we're good enough,'' Coach Chip Kelly said. ''We just have to put them in better position to make plays. It's 100 percent on my shoulders. It's unacceptable.''

Two teams have clinched division crowns in Philadelphia in six days. Arizona won the NFC West with a 40-17 win over the Eagles last Sunday night.

While the Redskins head to the playoffs, the Eagles and Kelly face a challenging offseason. Kelly took control of personnel decisions last year and overhauled a team that went 10-6 in each of his first two seasons.

It clearly didn't work out.

Meanwhile, Gruden made a gutsy call in August to bench Griffin and give the starting job to Cousins.

It paid off.

Cousins was outstanding down the stretch with 16 TD passes and only two interceptions in the last seven games. He showed resolve after a mental blunder at the end of the first half cost the Redskins at least three points.

Cousins took a knee with no time-outs and 6 seconds left from the Eagles 6 with a 16-10 lead. He realized his mistake and tried to spike the ball, but the clock ran out. He made up for it in the second half.

''I'm very proud of Kirk,'' Gruden said. ''He came in and kept his composure just like he has all year. Put his nose to the grindstone.''

Cousins tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Thompson to give Washington a 23-10 lead. He converted three third-down passes on the series after Jaylen Watkins dropped an interception.

The Eagles answered quickly as Murray ran in from the 4 to cut it to 23-17.

But Murray then dropped a pitch, Hall picked it up and ran it back for a 30-17 lead late in the third quarter.

''I can't take my eyes off it,'' Murray said. ''It was my fault.''

The Eagles missed a chance to take the lead early in the second quarter when Sam Bradford overthrew a wide-open Zach Ertz on third-and-9. It would've been a 60-yard TD.

They missed another opportunity on the following series when Nelson Agholor dropped a 28-yard TD pass and settled for Caleb Sturgis' 34-yard field goal that cut it to 13-10.

After going three-and-out on their first possession, the Redskins scored touchdowns on the next two. Cousins connected with Reed over the middle on a 22-yard scoring pass to cut it to 7-6. Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point wide left.

Cousins then hit Reed over the middle again for a 12-yard TD pass and a 13-7 lead.

Notes: Bradford had 380 yards passing. ... Reed had nine catches for 129 yards. .. Former Eagles Pro Bowl WR DeSean Jackson had four catches for 40 yards. ... The Redskins are 2-5 on the road, 3-12 in Gruden's two seasons.

Arizona Cardinals; 2015 NFC West Division Champions


Washington Redskins; 2015 NFC East Division Champions


Carson Palmer & Aaron Rodgers; Gettin' Ready to Square Off in Phoenix on AMERICA'S GAME OF THE WEEK on FOX


http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201512...rdinals@eagles

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201512...edskins@eagles

[isiahthomas]

Green Bay got spanked by Arizona 38-8 hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Washington plays Green Bay today in the playoffs and I think Washington will win because Green Bay didn't look good their last game against Minnesota when they lost 20-13. Washington is good at home and they should win. Their offense has looked good and the defense has played better. Kirk Cousins seems to be the real deal. It's a shame Robert Griffin may never play again for the Redskins and he'll probably get traded when the season is over. If I was the Redskins, I would have him as the backup quarterback and get rid of Colt McCoy because he isn't better than Robert.

[1960'sTVfan]

In the NFL, teams that have previous playoff experience and have a history of playoff success are the teams that usually win at playoff time. That's why the Steelers beat the Bengals, and the Seahawks beat the Vikings. So with that logic, I'll go with Green Bay to beat Washington.

[isiahthomas]

Green Bay is gonna lose to Arizona this weekend and the Redskins suck LOL.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

Green Bay is gonna lose to Arizona this weekend

Don't be too sure about that, I'm not saying the Packers are going to win, but it's going to be a much different game than the 38-8 blowout game in the regular season. I think the Packers have a fair chance to win, we'll see. What set them back in the pre-season was when Jordy Nelson got hurt and out for the season. But never count out Aaron Rodgers at playoff time. Minnesota might have edged Green Bay for the division, but look at what team is still alive in the playoffs. Green Bay!

Inexperience is why I didn't think the Redskins would beat the Packers. Redskins are inexperienced, so is Kirk Cousins. Same reason is why the Bengals and their no-name quarterback lost to the Steelers and Roethlisberger. Also the Seahawks beating the Vikings. Minnesota and Bridgewater are inexperienced, but they have a bright future. The Minnesota kicker did choke on that field goal try, but still no way were the Seahawks going to lose that game.

I think the Seahawks can beat the Panthers this weekend, it's very possible. I didn't think the Panthers would go undefeated, I called it that the Falcons would beat them in game 15. Panthers and Cam Newton have had a great year, but Seattle and Russell Wilson will be a huge test for them. Right now I'm going with the more experienced Seahawks to win the game.

[simmytbone]

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

Green Bay is gonna lose to Arizona this weekend and the Redskins suck LOL.

I'm with you on THAT

I use to like Aaron Rodgers, but now, I can't STAND him, he's too full of himself, plus I can't STAND Clay Mathews, did you see what he did to Carson Palmer? He just shoved him off

I do like Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy, but they aren't themselves

[1960'sTVfan]

I don't like Aaron Rodgers either, but he's one of the better NFL quarterbacks, and the Packers have been a consistent winning team since the 90's. So considering all that, I think they have a decent chance to beat Arizona on Saturday.

[simmytbone]

Well I hate to say I told ya so, but I TOLD YA SO!!

It's time for some NEW BLOOD IN THE NFC