Recapping Week 13 of the 2008 NFL Season

Recapping Week 13 of the 2008 NFL season:

Mac's Game Balls

Offense: Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles - Four days after being benched at halftime, McNabb responded by going 27-of-39 for 260 yards and four touchdowns to help the Eagles blowout the playoff-bound Arizona Cardinals on Thanksgiving night.

Defense: Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings - Allen had 8 total tackles and three sacks of Kyle Orton. Allen also provided consistent pressure on Orton and made a key stop on a 4th-and-goal play in the 2nd quarter that would lead to the Gus Frerotte-to-Bernard Berrian 99-yard touchdown pass.

Special Teams: Jason Hanson, K, Detroit Lions - Hanson tied Morten Anderson's record for most 50-yard field goals in a career on Thursday.

Game recaps:

49ers 10, Bills 3

The San Francisco 49ers won a game few thought they could win, writes John Crumpacker. Former Bills and current 49ers defenders Nate Clements and Takeo Spikes enjoyed their homecoming yesterday. 49ers running back Frank Gore was disappointed in how he played. 49ers head coach Mike Singletary is beginning to put his stamp on the team, writes Gwen Knapp.

Buffalo massively outgained the 49ers, but couldn't overcome multiple mistakes. The Bills wasted more timeouts on Sunday. Bills kicker Rian Lindell doinked a pair of field goals off the uprights. Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan takes issue with the Bills' play-calling.

Ravens 34, Bengals 3

The Baltimore Ravens avoided a letdown and dominated a terrible Cincinnati Bengals team. Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco spread the ball around and his development may have taken another step, writes Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun, who also graded the Ravens in their win. Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton was chock full of big plays on Sunday.

For the 16th time in the Cincinnati Bengals' 41-year history, the team has double-digit losses on its record. Bengals cornerback Leon Hall gave up a pair of long touchdowns. The Bengals tied a franchise-low with six first downs on Sunday.

Colts 10, Browns 6

Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis provided the only points the Indianapolis Colts needed on Sunday. Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star reminds his readers that looks aren't everything. The Colts lost two more starters to injuries on Sunday. The Colts rookie linemen are gaining confidence.

Just when Cleveland Browns didn't think it could get any worse, on Sunday it did. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson heard the fans cheering when he was injured. The Browns defense was proud of itself, but the offense will be without Anderson and tight end Kellen Winslow will have an MRI on his ankle. Browns wide receiver/return specialist Joshua Cribbs is the People's Choice to play quarterback.

Dolphins 16, Rams 12

Miami's 16-12 win over the hapless St. Louis Rams may have been ugly, but winning like that has an upside, writes Dave Hyde. Dolphins guard Justin Smiley's injury will lead to more offensive line shuffling. Thanks to losses by everyone else in the division, the Dolphins have jumped back into the AFC East race. Dolphins cornerback Joey Thomas was targeted yesterday.

The St. Louis Rams played much better on Sunday, but the results were the same. Rams running back Steven Jackson and head coach Jim Haslett do not sound like two guys who can co-exist peacefully. Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch doesn't think Marc Bulger is the team's long-term answer at quarterback. Rams rookie linebacker David Vobora played well in his 1st NFL start.


Giants 23, Redskins 7

The New York Giants brushed aside the Plaxico Burress distraction to beat the Washington Redskins 23-7. The Giants offense was simply too much for the Redskins to handle. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is 5-for-6 on replay challenges this season. Giants running back Brandon Jacobs understands why Burress was carrying a gun.

Once again, the Washington Redskins' offense struggled against the Giants defense. The Redskins have lost three straight at home to drop to 3-4 at FedEx Field. Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post writes that the Redskins are a longshot to make the post-season. The Redskins honored Sean Taylor before the game on Sunday.

Buccaneers 23, Saints 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jermaine Phillips' interception set-up Matt Bryant's game-winning field goal. With rumors swirling about Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin leaving to join his son at the University of Tennessee, Gary Shelton of the St. Petersburg Times has a hard time picturing the Bucs without Kiffin. Buccaneers right tackle Jeremy Trueblood had a key fumble recovery.

The New Orleans Saints' playoff hopes took a major hit with their loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. With the Saints' playoff chances slim at best, one bright spot is Drew Brees' run at Dan Marino's single-season passing yardage record. Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune hands out some fleur de lis after the Saints' 23-20 loss to Tampa Bay.

Panthers 35, Packers 31

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith had a big fourth-quarter, which helped the Panthers remain tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers atop the NFC South. Panthers return man Mark Jones played a major role in the Panthers win yesterday. Panthers rookie running back Jonathan Stewart's hamstrings cramped up, which cost him a touchdown run. Charles Chandler of the Charlotte Observer grades the Panthers.

Yesterday's late-game collapse likely cost the Green Bay Packers a shot at the playoffs. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the Packers' playoffs are slim, but still possible. The Packers kick coverage unit continues to struggle. Packers running back Brandon Jackson made it easier for the coaching staff to keep Ryan Grant on the sidelines. Packers center Scott Wells has a concussion.

Falcons 22, Chargers 16

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith thought the Falcons showed resiliency in their 22-16 win on the road against the San Diego Chargers. Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has been well-protected this season. Falcons wide receiver Roddy White went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season. Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that Falcons running back Michael Turner has surpassed his former mentor.

The San Diego Chargers dropped another must-win game. It's time for the Chargers to look ahead to 2009, writes Kevin Acee. Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the Chargers' problems in the running game is with poor blocking and penalties. Chargers rookie fullback Jacob Hester called his own number on a fake punt.

Broncos 34, Jets 17

Behind quarterback Jay Cutler's 357 yards and two touchdowns, the Denver Broncos won their third straight road game and took a three-game lead in the AFC West. Woody Paige wrote something and the Denver Post published it. The Broncos defense finally got the spark it needed, but four more defenders were injured on Sunday.

The New York Jets have fallen back to the Earth, writes Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News. One bright spot from the Jets was running back Thomas Jones, who had 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns as he eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing for a fourth-straight season. Jets head coach Eric Mangini stood by the calls he and his coaching staff made.

Steelers 33, Patriots 10

Pittsburgh's defense spurred the Steelers to their first Foxborough win in 11 years. Steelers linebacker James Harrison's bid for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award got a boost with his two sack/forced fumble performance yesterday. Steelers safety Ryan Clark apologized for a big hit on Patriots receiver Wes Welker, but said he wasn't playing dirty. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette grades the Steelers.

Five New England Patriots turnovers lead to their 33-10 loss at home to the Steelers on Sunday. Patriots rookie Matt Slater took responsibility for his muffed kick return. Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe reminds Patriots fans that the rest of the team's schedule isn't too difficult. Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was a lone bright spot in Sunday's loss, writes Jennifer Toland.

Chiefs 20, Raiders 13

Kansas City ended their 7-game losing streak with a 20-13 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Chiefs rookie cornerback Brandon Flowers said the Chiefs felt like a different team yesterday. Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was happy to regain the winning feeling. McAfee Coliseum has been a home away from home for the Chiefs.

The Raiders fell short in their attempt to get their season's first winning streak. Raiders head coach Tom Cable's trick play backfired. Raiders rookie running back Darren McFadden gained 16 yards on a "hook-and-ladder" play. Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha gave up a pair of catches to Tony Gonzalez on Sunday.

Vikings 34, Bears 14

Minnesota's suffocating defense and big-play offense have the Vikings in sole possession of 1st place in the NFC North. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had another big day against the Bears defense. The "Williams Wall" should find out its fate on Tuesday. Last night's goal-line stand woke the Vikings up, writes Jim Souhan.

The Bears defense self-destructed in last night's 34-14 loss, writes Brad Biggs. Bears defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek may miss the rest of the season. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman gave credit to the Vikings for the 99-yard pass play. Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Sun-Times blames the play-calling near the goal-line for the 2nd quarter momentum swing last night.

MNF Prediction

When the 2008 season is officially put to bed, the biggest disappointments will be the Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. One could also include the Houston Texans in that mix, as well.

The Jaguars are a team in disarray and has already begun to look at a 2009 that may or may not include Fred Taylor. Meanwhile, the Texans are excited to be on Monday Night Football. It's been 14 years since MNF has broadcast from Houston, so I think the Texans will rise to the challenge.

Pick: Texans 26, Jaguars 16