4th and 1 with Adrian Arciuli
PANTHERS ROAR AGAIN
The Carolina Panthers went 11-0 and ended the Cowboys’ season with a crushing 33-14 win in Dallas.
Bizarrely, the Panthers went into this game as underdogs and once again proved their doubters wrong.
Carolina’s defence set the tone early with Kurt Coleman picking off a Tony Romo pass in the first minute and taking it back for a touchdown.
Head Coach Ron Rivera backed his defence all game and they delivered like they’ve done all season.
Luke Kuechly returned a Romo interception to the house in the second quarter as Dallas’ hopes of a late season revival were crushed.
Adding salt to the wounds, Romo re-injured the same collarbone, which sidelined him for seven weeks.
It will be the last we see of Romo this season. The Cowboys are all of a sudden a strong contender for a top 5 pick in next year’s draft.
EMBARASSING EAGLES
Don’t be surprised if Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly is sacked this week.
Philadelphia was woeful in a 45-14 defeat to the Detroit Lions.
The Eagles have slipped to 4-7 after losing three straight games, conceding a whopping 90 points in their past two matches.
Kelly has made a mess of personnel decisions since taking the Eagles job and it’s clear he doesn’t have the right players for his system.
Mark Sanchez has offered little at the quarterback position in the past two weeks in relief of Sam Bradford.
The Lions are making a mini resurgence – Matthew Stafford threw for 337 yards and 5 touchdowns with Calvin Johnson catching 3 of them.
BEARS STUN PACKERS
What was to be a night of celebrations for Packers fans, quickly turned into frustration as Chicago scored an upset 17-13 at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay retired the number of legendary quarterback Brett Favre at half-time but the man who replaced him under centre, Aaron Rodgers, couldn’t stop the Packers from falling to a fourth loss in five games.
Chicago’s defence was stout against a Packers offence that continues to struggle.
Rodgers almost led a game-winning drive but the Bears held firm on their own goal-line in the final minute for a third win in four games.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at ATLANTA FALCONS
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Atlanta has come back to the pack following its scintillating start to the season.
They’ve lost three straight games and will be without star running back Devonta Freeman on Monday morning.
It’s a big chance for the Falcons to show they’re a genuine playoff team.
Minnesota will look to bounce back from their home loss to Green Bay.
Adrian Peterson was stifled by the Packers defence but he should bounce back against the Falcons.
Tip – Vikings by 10
PITTSBURGH STEELERS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
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Meet Beast Mode 2.0 – Thomas Rawls will be the Seahawks starting running back for the rest of the regular season after Marshawn Lynch had surgery on a sports hernia injury.
Rawls ran all over the 49ers defence last week, rushing for 209 yards and a touchdown.
An undrafted free-agent, Rawls is built low to the ground, possesses a lightning quick step and will bulldoze any defender that gets in his way.
The Steelers are one of the best in the league at stopping the run so it makes for an intriguing matchup.
Tip – Seahawks by 3
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at DENVER BRONCOS
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The Patriots have continued their winning ways despite being in the midst of an injury crisis.
This looms as their biggest test, with an injury-riddled offensive line coming up against a Denver defence that will look to get in the face of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Brock Osweiler was solid in his starting debut against the Bears but I’m sure Bill Belichick has plenty of surprises in store for the 25-year-old.
I’d love to see New England go through the season undefeated but I think their injuries will catch up with them.
Tip – Broncos by 3
Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans
Tip – Raiders by 7
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
Tip – Chiefs by 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts
Tip – Buccaneers by 3
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
Tip – Giants by 10
New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans
Tip – Texans by 6
St Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals
Tip – Bengals by 14
San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Tip – Jaguars by 7
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Tip – Jets by 4
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Tip – Cardinals by 14
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Tip – Ravens by 3