I went out for a walk as the Mid-Atlantic Blizzard of 2010 started up. Some warmer temperatures had led to some ice melting in the pond near the house. The fresh snow was starting to cover the frozen parts. This snow was wetter, and stuck to the branches as it fell. The cracks in the ice feel like two-dimensional versions of the tree branches.

We are due for a major snow storm here in Northern Virginia. It is supposed to start Friday, Feb 5 and we could see accumulations of up to 24 inches. So everyone panics about being snowed in and buys everything at the grocery store. We went to the store too, but mostly because we’d been out of town recently.

This is a case of “The best camera is the one you have with you.” Taken with my first generation iPhone.

This figure is moving through the frame. Coming or going?

Another snowfall here in Northern Virginia. Will the schools close again?

I used a flash on this and I learned that I could avoid the fat snowflake look if I held the flash closer to the subject so that it wouldn’t illuminate the snowflakes close to the camera. Of course, I didn’t really learn that until I looked at all the shots in the comfort of my house. There is not a lot of room for experimentation when the weather is challenging. Or at least I’m learning that I don’t have the patience for it.

It was really cold in New York. I couldn’t take much time to consider each picture. I was more concerned about how cold I felt.

We have walked around all over the Theater District in Manhattan. We came across the Ed Sullivan Theater on the way back to our hotel in Times Square and just had to do a campy shot.

On the Acela train from DC to NYC.

An often used catchphrase by the son of Jack Buck that I just can’t stand.  Or when he uses “how  ’bout” in front of anything for that matter.  As a play-by-play guy, why not just make a statement to your broadcast partner that he can comment on instead of formulating such a bland and general question out of an observation?  I don’t get it and it just comes off as very lazy and repetitive.

Here’s the worst example of him using this phrase.  It came in Week 15 of the 2008 NFL season in a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals.  Viking receiver Bernard Berrian was back to receive a punt and here’s what happened..

That just defines droning and boring broadcasting.  Even Pat Summerall could have made that exciting.  So there ya go….our first bashing of Joe Buck in the year 2010!

Also, considering that this afternoon’s game between the Eagles and Cowboys should be a Tony Romo love fest, we plan to log all the loony stuff Buck says throughout the broadcast and place it right here for all to read.  If I’m up to the challenge we may even live blog tomorrow’s game because it should be a great matchup as well.

More to come tomorrow and for the year 2010 !!

The Big Idea Wall created by ENG 2D1 students in their study of The Merchant of Venice

Monday also saw the ENG 2D1 class use choice in selecting 3 journal topics out of a possible 9. We are again using a Learning Contract with this assignment.  Students will need to get each step checked along the path to completion.

Tuesday I spent the afternoon at AVSS in St. Thomas.  I was accompanied by another Learning Classroom Teacher and two others from the Board Office.  We were helping to facilitate the follow up session for those AVSS teachers who attended our Learning Classrooms.  There was lots of discussion surrounding DIA and other issues that teachers face on a daily basis.

Wednesday and Thursday (December 16 & 17) ENG 2D1 continued their work with The Merchant of Venice.

The EESS Professional Reading Club put forward a proposal to the “Teacher Learning and Leadership Program” through TVDSB.  We were notified this week that we are 1 of 2 possible candidates whose proposals will be forwarded to the Ministry of Education.  We now have a chance to receive funding to support our project (if we are the lucky winners).  Final decisions will be made in February, 2010.

After the Vikings lost to the bears in OT 30-36, I don’t know if the Vikings are even going to get through the first week of the playoffs.

Brett Farve got crushed in the first half, but pulled a amazing come back in the fourth quarter, only to lose.

The Vikings have shut down in the last couple of weeks; they were slammed by the Panthers in week 15, too.

By Jim Chandley

Ok so Merry Christmas all.  I’ve got the numbers from last week and the picks for this week will be up soon, since there’s a game tonight.  Everybody have a nice Christmas.

Winners: 58% (130-224) ATS: 44.6% (99-222) LOTW: 46.2% (6-13)

1. DETROIT: The Lions had a real opportunity to relinquish their hold as the most depressing team in football, with what would have been a stirring comeback victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Alas, it was not to be, and the Lions would remain depressing.
2. ST. LOUIS: The Rams had a real opportunity to relinquish their hold as the second most depressing team in football, with what would have been a stirring victory against the Houston Texans. Alas, it was not to be, and the Rams would remain depressing also.
3. KANSAS CITY: The three most depressing teams in football last year were, without a doubt, the Lions, the Rams, and the Chiefs. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
4. CLEVELAND: The Browns may have been victorious against the Chiefs, but their depression level remains the same, mostly thanks to victories by Tampa Bay and Oakland. Besides, is a 7 point victory against the Chiefs really something to go and rejoice about?
5. CHICAGO: It’s bad in the Windy City. The Bears were clubbed by Baltimore by 24 points, and now sit at 5-9, a far cry from where they thought they’d be before the season began, as many dubbed them the favorites to win the NFC. This is a team in total freefall, with no real end in sight.
6. SEATTLE: Where do the Seahawks go from here? Their quarterback is well past his prime, their running game is nonexistent, their defense is mediocre… it’s very difficult to envision Seattle being decent anytime soon.
7. OAKLAND: Yes, the Raiders won again. Yes, they did it with JaMarcus Russell. Yet, they won by a mere point, their latest narrow victory in a season of bad losses and narrow victories. The worst thing that can happen to this franchise is for it to think that it can win with its current nucleus. This is why they keep showing up on this list.
8. TAMPA BAY: Easily the hardest team to rank on this list. You wouldn’t think a 2-12 team would be ranked as low as eighth, and I really don’t know what it is, but there’s something about the Buccaneers that just doesn’t make them as depressing as other teams. If you can explain it, you’re better than me.
9. WASHINGTON: The Redskins really deserve to be ranked higher after getting clobbered by the New York Giants, but look at any of the top eight teams and tell me they aren’t depressing. Washington’s blocking was described to me as a “crime against humanity,” and after watching the highlights, I can do nothing but agree. It’s all Jason Campbell’s fault, by the way.
10. BUFFALO: Just because.

Historic matchups and historic plays.  A memorable week for more reasons than one.  There were some great games this weekend, but the biggest story of all was the tragic loss of Chris Henry.  Gone too soon.

Here’s the scoop on the week that was:

New York Giants 45, Washington Redskins 12. I had a feeling about this game midway through the first drive.  The Giants held on the ball forever in the first quarter and completely dominated the action from start to finish.  This game dramatized how brutal the game of football can be for quarterbacks when they play short-handed.  Jason Campbell was lucky to walk off the field.  Without Chris Samuels at left tackle, without Clinton Portis or Ladell Betts, without Chris Cooley and a true safety valve at wide receiver, Campbell took a pounding.  The Redskins still throw too many short routes.  Against a division rival with a high level of familiarity, Washington was simply overmatched.  To his credit, Campbell and the offense fought until the end.

Quick Pewter Note on Bruce Allen: Allen’s last job as an NFL general manager was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2004-2008.  Allen rejoined John Gruden, with whom he had worked in Oakland,  following a fight for control which resulted in the firing of Rich McKay.  During Allen’s tenure, the Buccaneers did not draft a single player selected to a Pro Bowl.  (Davin Joseph participated in one Pro Bowl as an alternate to an injured player.)  McKay’s picks (including Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Mike Alstott, Ronde Barber and Warrick Dunn) appeared in 37 Pro Bowls and grabbed 15 All Pro selections.   Bruce Allen is what he is…the son of George Allen.  That means a lot in DC, but it may not mean a damn thing to the Cowboys, Eagles or Giants.  Daniel Snyder will continue to get what he pays for.

Indianapolis 35, Jacksonville 31. In his last six games, Peyton Manning has thrown 10 interceptions.  The Colts are still undefeated and Reggie Wayne is still open when the game is on the line.  Jacksonville played Indianapolis like a true division rival.  Too bad they played the Seahawks like the Little Sisters of the Poor earlier this season.  If Jacksonville misses the playoffs, everyone should point to that 41-0 drubbing.  Up next for the Dancing Del Rio’s: New England.  Nothing dashes playoff hopes like December games in Foxboro.

Dallas 24, New Orleans 17. Don’t look now, but the team with the BEST scoring defense in the NFC is the Dallas Cowboys.  The Cowboys did all the things you have to do to beat the Saints.  They got pressure from their down linemen without blitzing.  They forced the Saints to throw the ball.  They converted third downs by running the ball and working the clock.  They stopped the Saints from running and played solid 3rd down defense.  They forced turnovers and benefited from some dropped passes.  And, they made Devery Henderson beat them. Henderson may be fast, but he is not a reliable pass catcher.  He dropped a sure score in the 4th quarter. The Saints defense looked the way they always do when Sedrick Ellis is out.  Marion Barber blasted Jonathan Vilma.  The Saints have some work to do.

Barber: "You want a piece of me??"

Here I am.

Barber: "Be careful what you ask for."

Game, set, match!

Barber: "Down goes Vilma."

Thankfully, Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma was able to continue after this play.  Helmet to helmet contact is still the most dangerous part of the game.

New England 17, Buffalo 10. Nothing to see here.  Brady and company are still in the midst of redefining themselves.  The Buffalo Bills have to be kicking themselves after two close losses to the Patriots.  They don’t have Dick Jauron to kick around anymore.  ”Boots are made for walkin’…”

Cleveland 41, Kansas City 34. Since both of these teams have recently beaten the Steelers, I have absolutely nothing to say.

Atlanta 10, New York Jets 7. Two weeks ago, I was sitting in a bar watching the Steelers get humiliated by the Cleveland Browns.  Toward the end of the game, an idotic Jets fan began an incoherent smack-talking rant.  He asked me if I’d be back at the bar this week when the Jets made the playoffs.  Boy am I sorry I missed this one.  Not really.  I’m as used to the Jets losing games as he must be.  Any Jet fan worth his salt knew that the Jets were going to find a way to lose that game.  They have a dominant defense, but can’t seem to get the ball out of the infield.  Baseball?  Mets – Jets…same difference.  The team has a mathematical chance to make this year’s playoffs and they have the best cornerback I’ve seen in years…but they don’t have much else.

Houston 16, St. Louis 13. The Texans are always a step away from something.  This game says as much about the Rams and Steven Jackson as it does about the Texans.  The Rams are going to be a trendy pick to reverse their fortunes next year.  If they can keep Laurent Robinson healthy and figure out a way to get the ball to Donny Avery, they could do some things.  The Texans look to be headed for 8-8 again.  It is time to officially dub the Texans as the “Seattle Seahawks of the AFC.”  Gary Kubiak’s replacement is waiting.  Jim Zorn, that phone is for you.

Arizona 31, Detroit 24. I wonder if the Cardinals think they can turn it on and off and back on again at will.  I don’t believe they can.  They have to turn it on and leave it on.  Now is the time to focus on recapturing the same intensity that lead to the blowout of the Vikings and guided their stretch run in 2008.  The Cardinals are 9-5 and finish the season with St. Louis and Green Bay (both at home).  Arizona could win both games and make an impressive statement by finishing at 11-5.  St. Louis has proven they won’t just roll over and the Packers will still be fighting for a playoff spot.  (Oddly enough, if the season ended today, the Cardinals would be hosting the Packers in the wild card game.)

Oakland 20, Denver 19. Kudos to JaMarcus Russell for getting it together for a quality win vs. a quality opponent.  The Raiders play some of the ugliest games you’ll ever see — but they’ve managed to beat the Eagles, Bengals,  Steelers and Broncos this season.  They should have beaten the Chargers in Week 1.  The Raiders are ALL or NOTHING.  In six games vs. Denver, Houston, the Giants, the Jets, Dallas and Washington, the Raiders have lost by a combined score of 192-36 or an average of 32-6. Three other losses (San Diego, twice; Kansas City once) have come by a total of 18 points.  At this rate, the Raiders are a LOCK to show up and beat the Ravens in Week 17.  I said it when they were 6-0 and I’ll say it again now — the Denver Broncos will NOT be going to the playoffs.  Quick Silver and Black Note on Winning Close Games: The Raiders beat the Eagles by 4, the Bengals by 3, the Steelers by 3 and the Broncos by 1.  When you can win close games against quality opponents, you’re SUPPOSED TO BE A PLAYOFF TEAM!!!!

Michael Bush brings it home.

Baltimore 31, Chicago 7. Ewww!!!

Tampa Bay 24, Seattle 7. I know the people in Tampa who thought Josh Freeman was a sort of “racial feel good pick” by head coach Raheem Morris.  They pooh-poohed the pick far and wide…and yet, after only a few starts, Freeman is the guy who is sporting wins over quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Matt Hasselbeck.  The Seahawks are done and not even Mike Holmgren wants to be bothered, but Freeman and the Bucs deserve some credit for battling.

Philadelphia 27, San Francisco 13. The highlight of this game was Leonard Weaver’s drive killing conversation with Ahmad Brooks.  Weaver has been the Eagles MVP this season.  He has introduced an element of physicality and versatility into the Eagle offense that was sorely needed.  I knew this was a great acquisition when it was made.  I remember that spectacular 2 touchdown game Weaver had last season with Seattle.  The Eagles are getting the most out of this deal.  Fullbacks are notorious for fumbling in short yardage running situations (think Mike Alstott!).  If Weaver can be trusted to tote the rock in playoff games at Minnesota or New Orleans, the Eagles are going to be in the Super Bowl.  Book it!! The 49ers are a year or two away.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they made the leap next year — but I won’t be surprised if they fall back.  I like what I’ve seen out of Michael Crabtree.  Alex Smith has potential, but his time to shine will be 2010.  If not then, then when.

Carolina 26, Minnesota 7. I said in the beginning of the season that Jake Delhomme was arguably the worst QB in the league.  With him on the bench, the Panthers have a chance to win.  Delhomme pissed away the team’s greatest threat with his steadfast refusal to execute basic play action fakes.  His half-assed efforts allowed defenses to sit back and sweat Steve Smith to death.  Matt Moore gives Carolina options — and he makes DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart tougher to defend.  And, then there’s that Julius Peppers guy.  Quick Toothless Panther Note:  The Carolina Panthers are winless vs. the AFC East.  That’s hard to do, but they managed to go 0-4.

THE CLASSICS

A Semi-Classic:  Tennessee 27, Miami 24 (OT). The two teams that no one wanted to play got a chance to play one another.  All I can say about the Titans season is, “Ewww!!!!  That’s nasty baby!!!”  If this game was played in Miami, the Dolphins probably win.  If they played on a neutral field, these two teams are probably still playing.  These are two of the most physical teams in the NFL.  Hard hats are a must versus the Titans and Dolphins.  Chad Henne (349 yards)  threw three interceptions, including the decisive pick to Michael Griffin — but he gives Miami the capacity to go long.  Back in October, I thought his insertion into the lineup would pay dividends — if he could figure out his touch and placement issues.  Henne still has some learning to do.

A Memorial Classic: San Diego 27, Cincinnati 24. Sunday marked the first game for the Cincinnati Bengals since the death of wide receiver Chris Henry.  The team played with heavy hearts and commemorative helmet stickers.  After the game, San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson spoke from the heart about how the Chargers, too, had lost a member of their family in Henry.  The game was a display of elite athletic ability and rugged competition.  Smooth Operator Note: Bengal WR Chad Ochocinco is simply the best route runner in the game.  If you like his antics, don’t forget to watch the detailed, artistic approach he brings to the game.  If you don’t like his entertainment package, just watch his weekly instructional videos on how to get off the line of scrimmage, how to get in and out of breaks, how to vary speeds to create separation from defenders, how to position your hands at the last instant to keep defenders at bay, and how to make devastating jump cuts that leave defenders sprawled aimlessly all over the turf.

Exhibit X:  Trailing 24-13 in the 4th quarter, the Bengals have the ball at the Charger 33-yard line (courtesy of Keith Rivers, see below).  The call a flare pass on an end around to Chad.  He gets the ball off a lateral pass from Carson Palmer at the 45.  He makes his break downfield and five Chargers are headed his way.  Evasive maneuvers mean ankle breaks.  He reversed his field and took the ball inside the 10-yard line.  The Bengals then scored to bring the game within a field goal.

Ochocinco Electrifies Chargers

I like the Bengals.  It certainly is not because the beat the Steelers twice.  Cincinnati showed a great deal of toughness on Sunday.  You knew this was a big game when starting CB Leon Hall tackled Darren Sproles on the opening kickoff.  I think Cincinnati needs another receiver to step up, but in the interim, it must be nice to have Cedric Benson AND Larry Johnson.

Larry Johnson Shows His Wheels on a Cutback

If you don’t think the Bengals are going to be a worthy playoff opponent, all you need to know about this next image is that ball wound up in the hands of Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers.

Interception -- Rivers Keeps His Eye on the Ball

San Diego benefited from Zebra Aid, but they’re still a tough group.  A few interference and defensive holding calls were not made.  Perhaps it was merely a prelude to playoff football.  Perhaps it was just good old fashioned home cooking.

A Shotgun Classic: Pittsburgh 37, Green Bay 36. When you play in a shootout and your final score is the first of its kind in the history of the NFL, you know the game was a classic.  Steel Curtain Scoring Note: Last season’s 11-10 Steeler victory over the Chargers was the first game ever with that final score.  Steeler fans will recall that is the game which should have ended 18-10 on a Troy Polamalu interception return TD at the end of the game. The Steelers entered Sunday’s game desperately hoping to avoid a sixth consecutive loss.  The Packers were hoping to avoid getting locked in a battle to the death with the titans of the NFC East: Philadelphia, Dallas and New York.  The Packers at 9-5 can reasonably expect to beat the Seattle Seahawks down to a fine mist next week, but no one knows what to expect when they travel to the desert in Week 17.

This game has been the most widely recounted of all the contests this week.  I will simply say that Bruce Arians and Mike Tomlin have made some interesting admissions about the passing game lately.  I’m beginning to wonder if Bruce Arians is actually going to get fired at the end of the season.  Roethlisberger likes him.  Tomlin does not have a discernible dislike for him.  It is possible that the Steelers would have run considerably more throughout the season if 1) Rashard Mendenhall was reliable, and 2) Willie Parker was healthy.  Arians admitted the team should have run more against Cleveland.  I don’t know if he gets it.

A team with a defense as old as the Steelers; with a defense that has played as many tough physical games as the Steelers have played over the past few seasons really needs an offense to run the ball so that they can REST!!  Arians doesn’t allow the defense to rest when he dials it up and calls for 40 passes in a game.  Roethlisberger doesn’t allow the defense to rest when he takes sacks instead of taking check downs.  It is Week 15 and for a team of stalwarts operating without Aaron Smith and without Troy Polamalu, stops are simply harder and harder to come by in the 4th quarter of games.  The Steelers have lost to so many upstarts because they have been chasing fresh legs. Jamaal Charles – fresh legs.  Jerome Harrison – fresh legs.  Greg Jennings – fresh legs.  Percy Harvin – fresh legs.

You don’t see gray beards like Carson Palmer and Brett Favre slinging touchdowns all over the yard vs. Pittsburgh.  Youth is being served this year.  Arians seems to think the passing game is really being showcased, but he has no idea.  The New Orleans Saints, possessed of the league’s most dominant offense, rank 12th in the NFL in passing attempts.  The Saints are 6th in rushing attempts.  The Steelers are 20th.

So, the game was a brilliant showcase for the offense, as constructed by the brilliant Bruce Arians.  (I don’t really believe that.)  And it was an epitaph for a defense as constructed by the brilliant Dick LeBeau.  If the Steelers hope to beat Baltimore and Miami, that defense is going to have to get some rest because the Ravens and Dolphins are playing “chin check” football and it is still December.

It is worth saying that I don’t consider myself to be a Luddite when it comes to the passing game.  Hardly.  My reasons are clear.  Dominant passing is not as valuable to me as balance.  Balance means the ability to effectively pass or run, as needed.  There is no magic formula for carries or yards (except in the post-season).   I say that because Bruce Arians absolutely addressed one of the areas of weakness I noted in my substantive critique of the Steeler offense last week.  During the final scoring drive, the Steelers threw the ball to Heath Miller from somewhere on the field other than the Red Zone or deep in their own end.  As the Packers played a 3-deep zone with Charles Woodson in the middle, Miller’s success set the table for Mike Wallace’s touchdown moments later.

Green Bay's 3 Deep Zone with Woodson In the Middle

The Packers put their best defensive player in an area where the bulk of the traffic was directed.  Look at the route combinations with :18 seconds left.  Miller makes a little move and he’s wide open.  Bam!  Green Bay keeps everything in front of them, but makes sure they have tacklers who can prevent a run into the end zone or a deeper pass down the seam.  This underutilized pass to Miller has been the forgotten key to opening up the Red Zone for the Steelers all season long.

Here it is again.  The Packers with a 3 deep look, Woodson is in the middle of the field and the pass, intended for Mike Wallace is broken up.

Packers Defend 3 Deep Across the Back Line

The player who is tangled up with Mike Wallace on this play is Atari Bigby #20 (facing out).  He is a 4th year strong safety out of Central Florida.  He began the play along the back line with Woodson.  On the pass, he came up and aggressively broke up the play.  Wallace wanted interference.  That’s Heath Miller on the bottom of the screen locked in man coverage.  Bigby had a two-way go on the release of the ball.  His job was simply to make sure that neither Wallace, Miller nor Mendenhall (at the 9-yard line) make it across the goal line.  Well done.

Hines Ward's Route Sets Up the Final Score

Hines Ward has run a route down the back line of the end zone.  Ben Roethlisberger is looking for him — but someone shows up to take away the pass.  Roethlisberger hurls the ball about 10 feet over Ward’s head and out of bounds.  Who shows up??  It’s not Charles Woodson.

It's Atari Bigby -- Again!!

So far, Atari Bigby has made two huge plays in the Red Zone — one by delivering a blow and the other by remaining disciplined in his zone.

On the final play, the Steelers targeted CB Josh Bell.  With 5 receivers in the pattern and 8 defenders in coverage, it is obvious that not everyone would be double covered.  The Packers should have rushed lineman and daring Ben to run it in.  With a 20 yard head start, he probably makes it — by a nose. The Packers were committed to keeping the Steelers from scoring in the middle of the field and put their best defender in the middle.  Atari Bigby made a stop on the previous play by defending the back line — and that’s where he was on this play.  He was helping out on Hines Ward who was coming across the back.

Wallace Beats Bell for Six.

Only Josh Bell could have made this play — and only a throw to the sideline could have beaten the defense the Packers played.  Everything else was covered.   With everything on the line for the Packers, Charles Woodson was the nearest defender on —– Heath Miller.  Touchdown.

Interesting Stat Note: With :25 remaining, the Steelers had 503 total yards of offense.  At the end of the game, Ben Roethlisberger had 503 passing yards.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t say, “Wow, what a throw!!!!!!!”

The Nation’s capital was the site of the Monday Night game, with a desperate New York Giants team looking to keep the pressure on the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers for the NFC Wild Card spot. The Redskins look to play spoiler against the Giants and damage their hopes to their rivals. This wasn’t even close.

NY Giants 45, Washington 12- Eli Manning threw for 268 yards on 19-26 passing with three touchdowns, and Ahmad Bradshaw ran for two touchdowns and 61 yards, and the New York Giants returned to the team that was 5-0 a long time ago by dismantling the Redskins 45-12, and giving new Redskins boss Bruce Allen a lot to look at regarding the talent of this team and where they want to go in the future. The blowout loss was damaging to any chance that Jim Zorn had to keep his job for next season, and it appears that he is on his way out the door when the season is over. Manning connected with Steve Smith, Derek Hagan, and Mario Manningham, and by the time Terell Thomas intercepted Jason Campbell’s pass to make it 38-6, the game was well in hand. Campbell went 15-28 for 192 yards w/ a touchdown to Fred Davis and two interceptions and Quinton Ganther scored a touchdown for Washington. The Giants are now a game behind Green Bay & Dallas for the final spot in the NFC Playoff race. The Giants own the tiebreaker against Dallas (by virture of beating them twice), so no team is out of the woods just yet. Perhaps Washington was overlooking New York for their game against Dallas on Sunday night. The Cowboys signed former Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham, giving him a opportunity to stick it to his former team. Giants (8-6), Redskins (4-10)

Week 15 began with a Thursday night thriller between the Colts and Jags, continued with an unimaginable Cowboys win over the undefeated Saints on Saturday, and came to an exciting end (for Giants fans anyway) in a dominating Giants win over the Redskins on Monday night. Here are a few of the highlights from the more exciting games over a long football weekend:

Colts 35 – Jaguars 31

In what was a back-and-forth game throughout, the undefeated Colts came out on top just like they have been doing all year long. Peyton Manning was the hero with help from the usual suspects, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, to help get Indy one step closer to an undefeated season. Peyton passed for 4 TDs, including the game winner with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on a 65 yard strike to Wayne.

Cowboys 24 – Saints 17

Going into this Saturday showdown the Saints couldn’t lose and Dallas couldn’t win in December. Those roles were reversed with an improbable 7 point Cowboys victory in The Big Easy. The Boys had a chance to go up 10 late in the 4th and ice the game, but Nick Folk botched a chip shot 24 yarder. At that point I thought that was it and Drew Brees would lead his team down the field much like Manning did a few days earlier. Unfortunately, Demarcus Ware got free and sacked Brees, forcing a fumble and putting away the game.

Titans 27 – Dolphins 24

Rob Bironas kicked the game winner in OT to down the Dolphins and help the Titans get to .500 for the first time this year. Vince Young passed for a career high three TDs and Chris Johnson rushed for over 100 yards for the 9th straight game. The Tennessee win further complicates the AFC Wildcard picture as the Titans, Dolphins, Jets, Jaguars, Steelers, and Texans are all at 7-7.

Chargers 27 – Bengals 24

An emotional game for the Bengals and an exciting game for the fans. Cincy players wore #15 decals on the back of their helmets for fallen teammate Chris Henry, and Chad Ochocinco honored him with a prayer for his TD celebration. They needed a few more big plays from 85 however, as the Bengals only scored one touchdown in four trips to the redzone. Pip Rivers had himself a game with 308 yards and 3 TDs and Nate Kaeding kicked the game winning 52 yard FG with just three seconds left to play.

Steelers 37 – Packers 36

The Steelers stay in the playoff hunt in what I considering the game of the day. Mike Wallace scored on the first play from scrimmage and the last play when Ben Roethlisberger found him on the left side of the endzone in a deja vu situation that made many recall Santonio Holmes Superbowl winning catch a year ago. Both defenses could not stop the opposing QB as Aaron Rodgers passed for 383 and and 3 TDs and ran for another, only to be outshined by Big Ben and his 503 yards and 3 TDs, including that game winner. HE IS MIKE WALLACE!! But this Wallace doesn’t shoot fire balls or lightning bolts, all he does….catch touchdowns.

Well, the NFL Recap is here for Sunday, and it looks like the playoff picture in the NFC is getting clearer by the weeks. The AFC however, is messier than before. During this recap, which features MANY wild finishes, we’ll sort all this out. To the recap we go…

New England 17, Buffalo 10- Many people thought Randy Moss quit. He has not, and he showed up against the Buffalo Bills. Moss had five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, and Laurence Maroney ran for 81 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, and the Patriots rolled to their 13th straight victory over the Buffalo Bills, and their first road win this season in the United States (the other one came in London against Tampa Bay). Tully Banta-Cain led the way for the Patriots defense with three sacks, and the defense for New England played so well, that interim head coach Perry Fewell benched Ryan Fitzpatrick for Trent Edwards, but Edwards injured his ankle three plays later, forcing Fitzpatrick to come back in and throw a touchdown pass to Lee Evans. The Patriots now have move a step closer to clinching the AFC East, and can clinch the division with a win next week vs. Jacksonville or with a Miami and NY Jets loss. Patriots (9-5), Bills (5-9)

Arizona 31, Detroit 24- The Arizona Cardinals jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but allowed the Lions to get back in the game in the third quarter to tie the game at 17, but Kurt Warner found Anquan Boldin with 1:54 left to break a 24-24 tie and gave the Cardinals a 31-24 victory to move a step closer to the NFC West championship. Warner went 23-37 for 233 yards, and Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower were effective on the Cards’ running game, each scoring a touchdown. The Lions were led by Maurice Morris’ 126 yards on 17 carries including a 64 yard touchdown runs. All the Lions’ 24 points came after Drew Stanton, the Lions backup quarterback entered the game for an ineffective Daunte Culpepper, but they just fall short of getting their third win of the season. Cardinals (9-5), Lions (2-12)

Cleveland 41, Kansas City 34- In another shootout against a team that is not as good on paper as they are, the Cleveland Browns went on an offensive explosion again. Joshua Cribbs had kickoff returns of 100 and 103 yards for touchdowns, tying the single game record for most returns in a game, and setting a new career record for returns (kickoff & punt) with eight, and Jerome Harrison put on a show of his own, setting the third best single game rushing performance in NFL history with 286 yards on 34 carries, and three touchdowns, and the Cleveland Browns held off the Kansas City Chiefs in a shootout. Matt Cassel went 22-40 for 331 yards and two touchdowns and Jamaal Charles ran for 154 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown, and the Chiefs just did not have enough to stop Cleveland from getting their second straight win. Browns (3-11), Chiefs (3-11)

Atlanta 10, NY Jets 7- The Atlanta Falcons’ shot at the playoffs were gone when Dallas beat New Orleans on Sat. night, but they decided to take the New York Jets down right along with them. Matt Ryan found Tony Gonzalez for a six yard touchdown, and the Falcons knocked off the Jets in the Meadowlands. In a defensive battle, Ryan went 16-34 for 152 yards, but the Jets’ miscues killed themselves. Mark Sanchez threw for 226 yards, but had three interceptions, Jay Feely missed a field goal, and had another blocked, and Kellen Clemens botched a snap as well. The lone bright spot for New York was a 65 yard strike from Sanchez to Braylon Edwards (who finished with 105 yards on five catches). The Jets had a great opportunity to take control of the playoff picture, but are back in the middle of things. Facing the undefeated Colts next week is not going to help matters either. Falcons (7-7), Jets (7-7)

Houston 16, St. Louis 13- Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson had big games to keep Houston alive in the playoff picture. Schaub threw for 367 yards on 28-40 passing and a touchdown, and Johnson had nine catches for 196 yards, and the Texans used three field goals from Kris Brown to hold off the competitive Rams. The only touchdown from Houston came from Kevin Walter, and as a team, Houston only ran for 52 yards. In a game that was only attended by 46,256 people in the Edward Jones Dome (the lowest since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995), Keith Null passed for 173 yards in his second start, and threw a touchdown to Danny Amendola, and Steven Jackson had 123 yards from scrimmage (82 rush, 41 rec). Two more games and the long season will be over for the Rams. Texans (7-7), Rams (1-13)

Miami 24, Tennessee 27 (F/OT)- Rob Bironas kicked a 46 yard FG in overtime and lifted the Tennessee Titans to a huge victory over the Miami Dolphins and complicated the AFC playoff picture even more, as the Titans beat the Dolphins, but lost to the Jets, and the Dolphins beat the Jets twice. Vince Young came back from his strained hamstring, and threw for 236 yards on 14-27 passing and three touchdowns. Ricky Williams ran for 80 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown, and Chad Henne threw for 349 yards and led the Dolphins back from an 18 point deficit to tie the game, but Henne threw an interception to Michael Griffin in overtime, and then a personal foul on Greg Camarillo for a late hit set up the field goal for the win. The Titans hopes are still alive, and the Dolphins first loss in December may have costed them the AFC East, and a possible Wild Card spot. Dolphins (7-7), Titans (7-7)

Oakland 20, Denver 19- JaMarcus Russell threw a 10 yard pass to Chaz Schilens with 35 seconds left for the game-winning touchdown, and the Oakland Raiders picked up a huge upset over the Denver Broncos, damaging the Broncos playoff hopes, and putting them just a game ahead of six teams in the playoff picture for the final wild card spot. Michael Bush led the Raiders with 133 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, and Charlie Frye was the starting quarterback before getting hurt in the fourth quarter. Denver could not capitalize inside their own five yard line leading 16-13, settling for a field goal by Matt Prater to make it 19-13, which led to the game winning TD pass by Russell. Kyle Orton went 19-34 for 278 yards and a touchdown to lead the Broncos in a losing effort. Raiders (5-9), Broncos (8-6)

Cincinnati 24, San Diego 27- With heavy hearts on their fallen teammate, Chris Henry, the Cincinnati Bengals played on. Playing inspired football, and playing hard pressing forward, as Henry has done before his death last Tuesday, the efforts just fell short and the San Diego Chargers won their 17th straight game in December with a dramatic field goal from Nate Kaeding with three seconds left to give the Bolts a 27-24 victory. The win, coupled with a Denver loss gave the Chargers the AFC West crown, and moved them closer to a first round bye in the AFC Playoffs. Phillip Rivers went 24-38 for 308 yards and three touchdowns, but he threw a couple of interceptions that allowed Cincinnati to get back in the game and tie it at 24. Carson Palmer went 27-40 for 314 yards and two touchdowns, including a 49 yard pass to Chad Ochocinco, who paid tribute to Henry in the endzone. The Bengals for the second straight week, failed to clinch the AFC North division, and will try again next week at home against Kansas City. The Chargers have won nine in a row, and nobody is really talking about them, which could mean a lot when January comes around. Bengals (9-5), Chargers (11-3)

Chicago 7, Baltimore 31- Joe Flacco had a career day, going 21-29 for 234 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, and the Ravens defense picked off Jay Cutler three times, increasing his league-high total to 25, and the Baltimore Ravens are back in the drivers seat with the top Wild Card spot with a huge 31-7 victory over the Chicago Bears. Flacco passed two touchdowns to Todd Heap, Demetrius Williams, and Derrick Mason caught one each. The Bears only touchdown came on special teams on a 49 yard punt return by Earl Bennett. Cutler went 10-27 for 94 yards, and is not having the season that he nor the Bears envisioned when he wanted the trade out of Denver to Chicago. Lovie Smith’s job is on the line even more now after this loss, and the Ravens are now a game behind the Bengals for first place in the AFC North. Bears (5-9), Ravens (8-6)

San Francisco 13, Philadelphia 27- Donovan McNabb went 21-36 for 306 yards, and had two touchdowns (1 pass, 1 rush), and DeSean Jackson had six catches for 140 yards, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched a playoff spot with a 27-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Not only did the Eagles clinch a playoff spot, the 49ers loss put them out of contention for the NFC West championship, which went to the Arizona Cardinals for the second straight year. Alex Smith threw for 177 yards, and a touchdown pass to Josh Morgan, but he threw three interceptions that were costly for the 49ers. Frank Gore also had 107 yards rushing to lead the 49ers. The Eagles clinched a playoff spot for the eighth time this decade, and it was so routine that it wasn’t celebrated, as they have Super Bowl aspirations ahead of them. 49ers (6-8), Eagles (10-4)

Green Bay 36, Pittsburgh 37- Ben Roethlisberger threw for 503 yards on 29-46 passing, and three touchdowns, including the game winning 19 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace as time expired, and the Pittsburgh Steelers snapped a five game losing streak and kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Green Bay Packers 37-36. The win also snapped Green Bay’s five game winning streak. Down 36-30 with three seconds left, Big Ben rolled left, and threw a desperate strike to Wallace, who did a great job keeping his feet in the endzone to give Pittsburgh the dramatic victory. Wallace also had a 60 yard reception at the beginning of the game for the Steelers, who also may have saved Mike Tomlin’s job as well. Aaron Rodgers went 26-48 for 383 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for one as well. The Packers are still in the top Wild Card spot in the NFC, and the loss clinched the NFC North for the Minnesota Vikings. Packers (9-5), Steelers (7-7)

Tampa Bay 24, Seattle 7- Josh Freeman went 16-26 for 205 yards and threw two touchdowns, and the Buccaneers defense forced the Seahawks into five turnovers by Matt Hasselbeck (four interceptions, one fumble), and the Buccaneers got a huge confidence boosting win and sent the Seahawks to probably their most demoralizing loss and really shown how far this team has fallen off after dominating the NFC West from 2002-2007, with a Super Bowl appearance in 2006. Freeman’s two touchdowns came in the third quarter after Tampa Bay was up 7-6, hooking up w/ Carnell Williams and Derrick Ward to put Tampa Bay up 21-7. Three field goals by Connor Barth kicked three field goals and the last one capped 24 unanswered points after Hasselbeck threw a 29 yd pass to John Carlson for a touchdown. The Buccaneers got a confidence boosting second win, and the Seahawks are just trying to figure out answers. Buccaneers (2-12), Seahawks (5-9)

Minnesota 7, Carolina 26- The Carolina Panthers made the most of their Sunday night appearance with their 5-8 record, and Matt Moore made the most of his opportunity as starter. Moore went 21-33 for 299 yards and three touchdowns (two in the fourth quarter) and the Carolina Panthers defense harassed Brett Favre so much, that head coach Brad Childress pondered taking him out of the game so Julius Peppers would not get to him so much. After Adrian Peterson put the Vikings up 7-6, the Panthers racked up 20 4th quarter points and took 26-7, Favre and Childress got into a “heated discussion”, and more importantly the Vikings may have given home-field advantage to the New Orleans Saints. The win also helped players in Carolina rally around John Fox, who has been on the hot seat all season long. Vikings (11-3), Panthers (6-8)

The special Sat. night game went to the Bayou, where the New Orleans Saints were looking to go to 14-0 against a Dallas Cowboys team that has been 19-38 in December since 1997. When DeMarcus Ware came on the field at the Superdome after a sprained neck that looked so much worse, it looked like the game would change. Did it? Let’s go to the recap.

Dallas 24, New Orleans 17- The New Orleans Saints’ pursuit for perfection is no more. DeMarcus Ware came back from injury to strip Drew Brees on the final play and kill the Saints’ rally for a 24-17 victory at the Superdome. Tony Romo threw for 312 yards and a touchdown to Miles Austin, who had seven catches and 139 yards to go along with it. Marion Barber ran for two touchdowns, and the Cowboys jumped to a 24-3 lead, but Drew Brees much like most of the season, willed his team back in the 4th quarter, and with two quick drives, cut the Dallas lead to 24-17. After a missed field goal by Nick Folk and a desperate one-handed grab by Marques Colston, the Saints had one last chance, but Ware’s strip of Brees was recovered by Jay Ratliff for the Cowboys, and they kept their playoff hopes alive and killed some of those December woes that have plagued them in recent years. The Saints join the 1998 Broncos and the 2005 Colts as the teams that lost their first game after a 13-0 start. The Broncos won a Super Bowl, and the Colts lost in the first round. The win for Dallas was the second time they beat a team after a 10-0 or better start, as they beat the 11-0 Redskins in 1991. They also snapped a five game losing streak to New Orleans and move within a 1/2 game of the Philadelphia Eagles for first in the NFC East. Cowboys (9-5), Saints (13-1)

After moving to LA in the summer of ‘08, it took me quite some time to find a place where I could watch the Eagles every week. For the past few years, I spent the holidays in southwest Florida where my fiancee’s family have a second home (rest easy friends, they’re also Eagles fans), and I’d often miss 1-2 games, including last year’s classic dismantling of the Cowboys, 44-6.

Not this year.

Thanks to one of my Twitter followers who lives in nearby Estero, I am armed with a sports bar that will show the game. Last night’s Cowboys win against the Saints means that the Eagles have to win this afternoon – but the match-up is in their favor. Let’s hope they can actually make a tackle.

The game has been moved from 1 pm to 4:15 pm due to the heavy snow Philly got yesterday. Here are some highlights from last week’s game against the Giants to get us pumped up.