What a week it was in the NFL, Sunday set the record for most offensive touchdowns in a single day in the history of the league, and standings were shaken up across the conference. In a game no one will forget, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions in the newest snow bowl, and Nick Foles graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as a result. Unfortunately for fans of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones’ team did not show up for their Monday night date in the windy city, and fell to the Chicago Bears in embarrassing fashion. In irrelevant news, RGIII-10 and the Redskins were obliterated by Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs, which put an end to Griffin III’s season. In a battle for pride in sunny San Diego, Philip Rivers out dueled his rival from nearly a decade ago, Eli Manning. With just three weeks left in the season, things have fallen apart for three members of the NFC East.
Kansas City Chiefs(10-3) 45 Washington Redskins(3-10) 10
To say things haven’t worked out the way they were supposed to for the 2013 Redskins would be an understatement. After winning the NFC East in 2012, Mike Shanahan’s squad is in shambles, and completely irrelevant in this year’s playoff race. Robert Griffin III has played his last game of the season, as reports have surfaced that Shanahan will bench the former first round pick in favor of Kirk Cousins.
Kansas City showed off tremendous special teams play, returning both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns, and sacked Griffin III and Cousins a combined six times. The Chiefs are still fighting to secure the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs, and are trying to prove they belong in the conversation for Super Bowl contenders. By dominating a team, and coach devoid of hope, the Chiefs took another step towards the playoffs, and added another nail to Mike Shanahan’s coaching coffin.
San Diego Chargers(6-7) 37 New York Giants(5-8) 14
In 2004, the younger Manning scored the city of San Diego by declaring he would not play for them, and the Chargers were forced to deal Eli to New York for the rights of another rookie quarterback, Philip Rivers. While this contest surely did not satisfy the hatred San Diegans have for Peyton’s younger brother, a resounding victory to keep the Chargers in the hunt for a wild card berth certainly helped sooth the southern California fan base.
The Giants’ 2013 campaign is over, and though Tom Coughlin can write his won ticket in New York, some believe that the Giants’ coach may have had enough of the bright spotlight, as the Giants themselves appear to be in a downward spiral. ON Sunday, Rivers and company were motivated to prove a point to Manning and the Giants, and did just that in a 23 point victory. While Manning threw for more yards than Rivesr, Eli added two interceptions to his already inflated total, and is now 0-3 against San Diego for his career. Though Manning’s two Super Bowl rings are likely enough to keep the quarterback in good spirits heading into what will be a longer off-season than he is used to, Sunday’s loss will not be a memory he looks back upon fondly.
Chicago Bears(7-6) 45 Dallas Cowboys(7-6) 28
Is this the start of Tony Romo ‘s season demise? Historically speaking, this is about that time of year where the wheels fall off for Dallas’ franchise quarterback, and the Cowboys are left with more questions than answers heading into yet another extended off season. The quarterback whisperer, Josh McCown obliterated Monte Kiffin’s Tampa-2 defense throwing for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns while rushing for one more. Perhaps Chicago is better off without Jay Cutler as the Bears’ have rarely missed a step since Cutler was injured nearly a month ago. Now tied atop the NFC North, Chicago is in a much more advantageous position than their opponents from Monday Night Football.
Tony Romo cannot escape his publicized narrative. The choke artist, the automatic transmission, this guy just has no clutch. Weeks after leading a come from behind win over the New York Giants, Romo is once again facing scrutiny for his lack of composure in big moments. By losing Monday in Chicago, Dallas fell one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East, and has little hope of a wild card berth due to the play of Carolina, Arizona, and San Francisco. While much of the blame falls on Dallas’ last-ranked defense, Romo will be forced to listen to his haters yet agin should the Cowboys miss the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles(8-5) 34 Detroit Lions(7-6) 20
Even in a blizzard, the NFL’s leading rusher did not disappoint. LeSean McCoy rushed 29 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the middle of a snow storm, and the Philadelphia Eagles claimed first place in the NFC East. Now the front runner in the two team race to determine who makes golf reservations, and who plays for the ultimate prize, Philadelphia has just three games to hold off a Cowboys’ team that appears to be losing hope. The Lions turned the ball over three times compared to a lone interception from Nick Foles and won the virtual snowball fight in the city of brotherly love.
An improving defensive unit held an explosive Lions’ offense to just 20 points, and put the Eagles in the drivers’ seat in the NFC East. What could end up as a true worst to first story, the 2013 Eagles have shown a resiliency that no Eagles team in recent memory has even hinted at. Chip Kelly has won over what some deem the harshest fan base in sports, and may earn an NFC East crown in his first season in the NFL. With five consecutive victories and a date with struggling Minnesota next on the docket, hopes are soaring in Philadelphia.