Image courtesy of the Washington Post
Week 13 provided some suspenseful games that were decided in the last seconds of the game and even overtime. Aaron Rodgers helped the Packers avoid a scare from the N.Y Giants, the Cardinals pulled out an OT victory over the Cowboys, and yet again, Tim Tebow performed in the clutch to help the Broncos pull out a win.
Packers 38, Giants 35
For the first time this year, the undefeated Packers (12-0) were put to a true test as the New York Giants (6-6) pushed Aaron Rodgers and company to the brink.
The Packers needed a last second field goal to preserve their perfect record for the season.
The Giants came out firing as they jumped to an early 7-0 lead behind a 67-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Travis Beckum. However, Aaron Rodgers quickly answered with a touchdown toss of his own to Jermichael Finley for a 12-yard score to tie the game at seven.
Lawrence Tynes added a field goal for the G-men to take a 10-7 lead. But, Eli was intercepted on the Giants next possession and Clay Matthews ran it in for a touchdown giving the Packers a 14-10 lead.
The Giants added a 1-yard touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs to take a 17-14 lead midway through the second quarter. But, just before halftime, Aaron Rodgers struck again, but this time for a 13-yard score to Donald Driver to take a 21-17 lead into the half.
In the third quarter, the quarterbacks matched each other with a touchdown pass a piece. Rodgers was first with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings which gave the Packers a 28-17 lead. But, Manning answered back with a 4-yard TD pass to Hakeem Nicks to bring the Giants within four.
The fourth quarter was a dramatic one. The Giants scored first with a 50-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes to pull within a single point of the Packers. But, Aaron Rodgers tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game, this one going to Donald Driver for 7-yards to take a 35-27 lead, seemingly in command
However, Manning was resilient, and bounced back with a 2-yard TD pass to Hakeem Nicks, and the Giants converted the two point conversion to tie the game at 35. However, in what was a quick-score how-to guide, two long passes from Rodgers set up a game winning 31-yard field goal by Mason Crosby as time expired to save the game and preserve the perfect season for Green Bay.
Looking ahead: The Giants have lost four in a row, but hope to bounce back in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys in huge divisional showdown. The Packers are relieved to save their perfect season and get the win, and look to remain perfect with a win next week against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field.
Arizona 19, Dallas 13
Coming off a four game winning streak, the Dallas Cowboys went into Arizona with high hopes.
However, following a missed field goal to win the game in regulation, the Cowboys fell in overtime as LaRod Stephens-Howling shocked them with an unexpected touchdown.
Early on, the Cardinals got on the scoreboard first in the opening quarter with a 48-yard Jay Feely field goal. This was quickly matched by the Cowboys midway through the second quarter behind a 50-yard Dan Bailey field goal.
The Cowboys finally got in the end zone towards the end of the half as Tony Romo connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant.
The third quarter was much more of the same defensive battle it had been throughout the game. The only scoring was a field goal apiece. Jay Feely hit a 23-yard field goal followed by a 37-yard field goal from Dan Bailey of the Cowboys.
The Cardinals did not find the end zone until the fourth quarter. Early in the quarter, Beanie Wells punched in a 4-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 13. However, the Cowboys had a chance to end the game.
Tony Romo led the Cowboys all the way to the Arizona 31-yard line. This set up a 49-yard field goal with just seven seconds left. But, Bailey missed short, and the Cardinals kneeled the ball and forced overtime.
On first and fifteen from their own 48, Kevin Kolb tossed a short pass to LaRod Stephens-Howling, and he did the work from there. Stephens-Howling took it 52-yards for the game winning touchdown in OT.
Looking ahead: The Cardinals will host the hot San Francisco 49ers in Week 14 as they attempt to pick up theirsixth win of the season. The Cowboys will host the N.Y Giants as they hope to bounce back from their OT loss.
Broncos 35, Vikings 32
Tim Tebow had perhaps the best passing performance of his NFL career and yet again came through in the clutch as the Broncos defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
It was an offensive battle between rookie quarterback Christian Ponder and the Vikings and Tim Tebow and the Broncos.
Ponder threw for three touchdown passes and a career high 381 yards while Tebow played a solid and efficient game going 10-15 for 202 yards and two touchdown passes. However, it was a team effort for the Broncos that got them the win.
Picking up late in the fourth quarter, the Broncos had the ball with about three minutes to go and trailing by three. Tebow yet again steped up to lead the Broncos down the field and Matt Prater kicks in a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 32.
However, left Christian Ponder and the Vikings 1:33 seconds to potentially win the game. But, despite his stellar performance, Ponder made a major mistake as he was intercepted on his first pass of the drive by Andre Goodman.
This sets up a last second 23-yard field goal by Matt Prater to win the game and improve to 6-1 with Tebow as their starting quarterback.
It was a well-balanced game for the Broncos as their offense had a stellar game and their defense stepped up when they needed to. The defense forced two interceptions, including a pick six, and a fumble as well.
Looking ahead: The Broncos will look to continue their push for the playoffs next week against the Chicago Bears while Ponder will look to help the Viking turn their fortune around next week when they face the Detroit Lions.
A Look at Week 14
Following a dramatic Week 13, NFL fans should tune in as teams begin to fight for playoffs positioning. Some games to keep an eye on in Week 14 include New Orleans at Tennessee, Houston at Cincinnati, and finally N.Y Giants at Dallas.
