The penultimate weekend of regular season football – the playoffs are within touching distance for some, while slipping out of reach for others. With no TNF game this week our first action comes on Sunday when the New Orleans Saints play the Carolina Panthers (18:00 Sun – Sky Sports) – they are currently tied for first in the NFC South and this matchup will likely decide the division, with the loser picking up a wildcard spot. Baltimore need to win to put themselves in the driving seat for a wildcard berth when they take on New England – who are still in the #2 seed (just); the Patriots are at the Ravens (21:25 Sun – Sky Sports). Two teams at 8-6, both atop their respective divisions need a result here to avoid being caught by the swarming masses behind them – the Chicago Bears are hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles (01:30 Mon – C4). Finally on MNF the Atlanta Falcons, who are without playoff ambitions, travel across the country to the currently playoff bound San Francisco 49ers (01:40Tues – Eurosport).

178 responses

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 17:59

    It's week 16! I think I'll start with Dallas and Washington.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:04

    It's week 16! I think I'll start with Dallas and Washington.

    That is a good shout for a decent game, I'm in.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:05

    I have the Saints trying to kick off in Carolina. Ball fell off the tee at the first attempt

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:05

    That is a good shout for a decent game, I'm in.

    Cool. Let's do a time sync.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:05

    When I've got myself in, then sure :)

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:07

    Flags flying all over the place. Possibly two personal fouls. I saw three flags

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:08

    Dallas game... just scored the TD #sync

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:09

    Dallas game... just scored the TD #sync

    Not here!

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:10

    Just seen the XP.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:13

    Wait, what happened there? -On the Skins' KO?

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:13

    I'll tell you when I've seen it...

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:14

    Wait, Seattle have allowed 19 punt return yards all season? WOW.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:15

    Didn't see anything wrong with it?

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:16

    First down snap… now. #sync

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:16

    Wait, Seattle have allowed 19 punt return yards all season? WOW.

    That is incredible

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:17

    First down snap… now. #sync

    Wait, that's hard, because I think I'm ahead.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:17

    Wait, that's hard, because I think I'm ahead.

    Yeah, you seem to be about 30 seconds ahead?

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:17

    3rd down snap... NOW

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:18

    3rd down snap... NOW

    They're still running around on 2nd!

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:18

    Purple TD in Cinci.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:18

    3rd down snap... NOW

    That's 40 seconds.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:19

    That's 40 seconds.

    Ahh cool, I can slow down my typing in that game then.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:21

    Panthers made a good first drive but were intercepted.

    Saints took over and after a few plays failed to convert 3rd and 16 so had to punt

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:25

    Ha! I know someone who works at the same Naval base as that guy in the Redskins game!

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:25

    Steve Smith is playing and catching passes despite damaging his finger before the game. He as five stitches in a very swollen finger that is painfull and causing him problems

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:26

    Steve Smith is playing and catching passes despite damaging his finger before the game. He as five stitches in a very swollen finger that is painfull and causing him problems

    While I was typing that he has damaged his left knee while there was no-one near him

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:27

    Dez came down hard and looked to be jogging to the locker room

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:28

    While I was typing that he has damaged his left knee while there was no-one near him

    Looked like he was running normally then pulled up and fell. There was no contact and he was running in a straight line

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:28

    Can't believe the Redskins made no attempt to block that punt. If you're not going to try it there, will you ever?

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:34

    Denver being held (by their standards) by the Texans - only 3-0 after 13 mins.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:36

    Denver being held (by their standards) by the Texans - only 3-0 after 13 mins.

    I was hoping the Colts would do Peyton a favour and beat KC but Chiefs are 7-0 already

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:40

    Dez is back out there - I don't think he left the sidelines ion actual fact.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:41

    Cam Newton sacked for a loss of 12 on third down. This game could finish 0-0 at this rate.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:42

    Cam Newton sacked for a loss of 12 on third down. This game could finish 0-0 at this rate.

    5 quarters of no scoring - (un)impressive.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:42

    End of the first Saint 0 Panthers 0

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:43

    5 quarters of no scoring - (un)impressive.

    eh?

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:44

    eh?

    For the Panthers&Saints to finish 0-0, they'd have to play 4 quarters plus an OT quarter.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:44

    Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro has left the game with a mangled leg

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:46

    Steve Smith in the locker room with left knee injury. Team mate tackle ? Cole is also in there with an injury. 3 players down in the first quarter

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:47

    TD Broncos

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:47

    TD Broncos

    Peyton 36 yard pass to Demaryius Thomas

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:48

    Another Panther taken from the field looking very groggy. Didn't catch who

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:49

    Brees sacked on 2nd and 8 for -9 yards

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:50

    Brees sacked on 2nd and 8 for -9 yards

    Gets the 9 back on third down to set up the field goal attempt. 3-0 Saints

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:54

    Saints go for the onside kick with 11 minutes to go in the 2nd and a lead of only 3 points. They recover the ball

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:54

    The Broncos TD was Manning's 48th TD pass of the season. The record is 50 for Brady

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:54

    RIVERBOAT RON, ohh wait nope, that's the other guys.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:55

    The Broncos TD was Manning's 48th TD pass of the season. The record is 50 for Brady

    And Peyton still has over a game and a half to go

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:55

    Two plays after the onside kick the Saints are at 1st and goal from the 8

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:56

    And Peyton still has over a game and a half to go

    I think the record is his. The ways his season has been going it could easily be 55

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:56

    Brees sacked again

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:57

    I think the record is his. The ways his season has been going it could easily be 55

    HJe can have it, because I don't think he'll get the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:57

    HJe can have it, because I don't think he'll get the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

    Who do you think will win it?

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:58

    HJe can have it, because I don't think he'll get the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

    He wishes that they game the trophy out before the New Year, rather than after the playoffs

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 18:58

    6-0 Saints

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 18:58

    Redskins nearly muffed the kick on the field goal.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 18:59

    Redskins nearly muffed the kick on the field goal.

    Sums up their season

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 19:00

    Andy Luck throws a TD to take the lead vs KC.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:01

    Andy Luck throws a TD to take the lead vs KC.

    Broncos back in the Texans red zone. This week could sort out the number one seed

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 19:02

    We'll see what the Pats have to offer :S

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 19:03

    We'll see what the Pats have to offer :S

    Not much, methinks.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:03

    Looks like Kenny Vaccaro has a broken ankle

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 19:03

    Not much, methinks.

    Offence has crumbled between last year and this, and even the replacements have now become injured and have replacements - ouch.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 19:04

    Looks like Kenny Vaccaro has a broken ankle

    He was slapping the cart like he knew it was a season-ender.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:05

    He was slapping the cart like he knew it was a season-ender.

    His leg looked like it was at an odd angle when he was under a pile of bodies. I was expecting a knee injury rather than ankle

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 19:06

    What was the deal with Gronk after that awful looking knee?

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:06

    Texans get another FG against Denver

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 19:07

    Romo had a guy open there. Completely missed him.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:07

    What was the deal with Gronk after that awful looking knee?

    Out for the season but still able to go shopping

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2524978/Patriots-star-Rob-Gronkowski-spotted-shopping-Whole-Foods.html

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:14

    Cam Newton sacked on 3rd and 8 for the loss of 18. Punting from their own 15

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:19

    Broncos got to the Texans 4 yard line and then on consecutive plays picked up 5 then 10 yard penalties

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:20

    Brees intercepted again

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:20

    Panthers score on the next play

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:21

    Panthers score on the next play

    Went 43 yards for the TD

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:24

    FGs for Denver and Indy

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:25

    Brees sacked again

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:26

    Brees sacked again

    That is the 5th time he has been sacked tonight and it is not half time yet

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:29

    7-6 Panthers at the half

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 19:53

    It's a pick-fest in Washington.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 19:58

    Ice cream break over back to football

    Donald Brown just ran in another TD for Colts.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 19:59

    Washington lead. Morris.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 19:59

    Donald Brown just ran in another TD for Colts.

    At this rate the Colts are going to do Peyton a favour.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:00

    At this rate the Colts are going to do Peyton a favour.

    I had hoped that they would

    Massive downpour now in Charlotte

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:00

    Cowboys are definitely making a stake for possibly the worst team to make the play-offs.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:01

    Eagles will likely beat them to it.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:01

    Can't believe the Bengals are killing the Vikings. 35-7??

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:02

    Can't believe the Bengals are killing the Vikings. 35-7??

    I can. Bengals could win the AFC.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:02

    Can't believe I passed up on playing Dalts this week.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:02

    Amazing how poor the visibility at the Carolina game has become because of the rain

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:06

    Redskins score a TD to lead the Cowboys

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:07

    Redskins score a TD to lead the Cowboys

    Hehe, that was a while ago. Dallas have gone 3 and out since then. I have it on Gamepass.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:08

    Hehe, that was a while ago. Dallas have gone 3 and out since then. I have it on Gamepass.

    It just popped up on TV

    Brees intercepted.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:11

    Cowboys hit with a personal foul penalty after a third down stop. Utterly stupid. Really late hit.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:13

    Bengals up to 41

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:15

    Saints having to punt from their own 5

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:16

    Saints having to punt from their own 5

    Stupid penalty against Carolina for covering up the Centre. Automatic first down Saints

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:17

    Stupid penalty against Carolina for covering up the Centre. Automatic first down Saints

    Stupid rule or stupid Panther?

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:18

    Stupid penalty against Carolina for covering up the Centre. Automatic first down Saints

    As in, illegal formation?

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:18

    Stupid rule or stupid Panther?

    Stupid Panther. He should know the rule. It's not one I was aware of but apparently it was brought in to protect centres

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:18

    As in, illegal formation?

    Yes

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:19

    Stupid Panther. He should know the rule. It's not one I was aware of but apparently it was brought in to protect centres

    Isn't that an offensive penalty though? Unless it's a hit on a defenceless center, which is a defensive penalty. I'm a little confused.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:19

    Stupid Panther. He should know the rule. It's not one I was aware of but apparently it was brought in to protect centres

    New this season I think - stops multiple rushers hitting the centre before he has had time to look up and protect his neck.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:19

    Isn't that an offensive penalty though? Unless it's a hit on a defenceless center, which is a defensive penalty. I'm a little confused.

    (Not helped by not seeing the game)

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:20

    BTW, Washington lead by nine. Didn't notice the Redskins FG. Guess they got one though!

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:20

    Just saw it. The defence has to be lined up outside the shoulders of the centre. They were just on the shoulder. Technically a good call but very tough. No-one touched the centre

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:20

    Isn't that an offensive penalty though? Unless it's a hit on a defenceless center, which is a defensive penalty. I'm a little confused.

    Commentator suggesting it applies on punts and 4th and short??

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:21

    Saints punting from their own 10 this time

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:22

    Just saw it. The defence has to be lined up outside the shoulders of the centre. They were just on the shoulder. Technically a good call but very tough. No-one touched the centre

    Oh, right. Hadn't come across that particular rule before.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:22

    Oh, right. Hadn't come across that particular rule before.

    It's a new one on me too

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:23

    Commentator suggesting it applies on punts and 4th and short??

    I always thought it was about piling in to the center, which applies on FGs and punts. Can see why it would apply on goal line offence too.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:23

    I always thought it was about piling in to the center, which applies on FGs and punts. Can see why it would apply on goal line offence too.

    But the way you explain it is different to my interpretation of the rule.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:24

    Looks like Dnver are struggling to add any points. 16-13 is not comfortable enough

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:24

    Romo's hurt, so there's hope for Dallas yet.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:25

    Romo's hurt, so there's hope for Dallas yet.

    :)

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:25

    Romo can't run.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:25

    (Although we knew that already)

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:27

    Michael Carlson @Carlsonsports

    cowboys going for it on 4th and 2 and skins....only have 10 on the field!

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:32

    Lots of boot swapping going on in Charlotte. Panthers equipment staff drowing in piles of boots

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:33

    Another injury for the Panthers. Chase Blackburn. looks like calf or something at the back of his knee

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:34

    Broncos got a TD to take a ten point lead

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:37

    Pierre Thomas got a finger in his eye and if off the field. I think that is 7 players who have left the field with an injury

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:38

    TD Saints. Brees to Graham 7 yard pass

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:39

    Michael Carlson @Carlsonsports

    The Saints just ran a play where none of the 11 players had a finger on the ground....

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:40

    Tony Romo chatting away into a headset - presumably to upstairs.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:46

    Romo can do himself and Dallas a huge favour here.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:46

    Brees sacked again

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:49

    Now Newton gets sacked

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:50

    TD Broncos

    Manning pass. Not sure if the last TD was a pass or not. If it was he equals Brady's record

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:51

    Manning pass. Not sure if the last TD was a pass or not. If it was he equals Brady's record

    It was. Play under review on the current TD

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:51

    Pass to Decker

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:54

    Skins make a stop on 3rd down, for loss.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:54

    Oh my goodness, amazing in Washington. Cowboys had 3rd and goal on the four. Ran it back to the 12.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:55

    And then the refs picked up what would have been a first down penalty flag.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:57

    TD Dallas?! Lots of flags and a brawl

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 20:57

    Cowboys score on 4th down. PAT will give them the lead. And there's a fight and some flags.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:58

    Flags came after the play

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 20:58

    I guess it is traditional to have a fight when cowboys and redskins meet

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 20:58

    Jason Garrett signalling for 1.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:00

    Panthers have moved most of the length of the field in 3 plays. Just spiked the ball on the Saints 14. 28 seconds to go.

    TD Panthers

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:05

    Peyton gets the record. 25 yards to Julius Thomas

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:08

    6 seconds left in the game and Brees has to go for it from the Panthers 45. Didn't work. Panthers win

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:08

    That win guarantees the Panthers a playoff place

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:09

    Panthers looked like they were set up for a return, not setting coverage.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:10

    Chiefs set at #5 now.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:16

    Watching Arizona and Seattle now.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:18

    Patriots have just clinched the AFC East, without touching a football.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:20

    Patriots have just clinched the AFC East, without touching a football.

    That's a bit of a sod because I have the Pats-Ravens game. I guess there is still home field advantage to play for

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:20

    I've got RedZone on, and I'm waiting for the Raiders-Chargers

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:20

    Patriots have just clinched the AFC East, without touching a football.

    Yay, a free loss in the divisional round!

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:21

    That's a bit of a sod because I have the Pats-Ravens game. I guess there is still home field advantage to play for

    And the Ravens are in the driving seat for the 6th seed, just need to seal that.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:21

    And the Ravens are in the driving seat for the 6th seed, just need to seal that.

    Pats and Ravens have plenty history - could be a juicy game.

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:22

    Pats and Ravens have plenty history - could be a juicy game.

    Could be a tough defensive/low-scoring game

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:23

    Great special teams play by the Cards to bring down the return man inside the 10

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:28

    Pats start with a three and out

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:41

    The referee at Baltimore has mic trouble. Doing a great Norman Collier impression

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:41

    TD NE

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:43

    TD NE

    WE LEAD IN THE FIRST HALF!

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:43

    NO ONE CAN STOP US NOW!

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:43

    *Apart from pretty much any team with a winning record

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 21:45

    Calvin Johnson looked rather halfhearted when blocking on that screen

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 21:45

    Calvin Johnson looked rather halfhearted when blocking on that screen

    That should still be enough against New York.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:47

    That should still be enough against New York.

    :)

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:51

    Pats at the Balt 5. This looks too easy

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 21:54

    TD Pats

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 22:06

    Flacco really struggling with his knee injury

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 22:17

    Rivers INT

  • Will^22/12/2013 at 22:30

    Chargers TD, now lead 10-7

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 22:34

    Seahawks miss a FG, having almost missed one earlier.

  • Steven Roy22/12/2013 at 23:01

    Half time Pats 17 - Ravens 0

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:25

    Chargers lead vs Oakland

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:27

    Oooh, Arizona up by three, and the Seahawks drop the ball on the kickoff return. Just fell out of the runner's arm.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:30

    Packers recovered a fumble on the 1, couldn't get it in the endzone.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:30

    And the field goal was blocked!!!

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:31

    Meanwhile, Richard Sherman picks off Sherman in the endzone, and the Pats pick off Flacco. It's all going on.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:33

    Wow. The field goal block is reversed for an illegal batting penalty.

  • Noelinho22/12/2013 at 23:35

    So GB have a first down, as Pittsburgh didn't ever gain full control of the ball. Controversial.

  • john23/12/2013 at 09:02

    how about them cowboys.... wohoo what a win. murray what a star. not sure if my heart will be able to take another close game like that next week v the eagles.

  • Will^23/12/2013 at 18:17

    That was Russell Wilson's first home loss in over 3 years!

    @MoveTheSticks: RE: SEA loss...Just heard that Russell Wilson's last home loss (pro/college) was 1177 days ago. Is that true?? Dang!