It took the Bengals to end the Chiefs’ 26-game winning streak in November and December. It is the third time in less than a year that the tigers have surprised the favorites, this time with a score of 27 to 24.
• Read also: Ravens win, but lose Lamar Jackson
• Read also: Disaster at the San Francisco 49ers
On January 2, the Bengals beat the Chiefs to secure their division title. Three weeks later, they did it again in the conference final. Yesterday, Joe Burrow was still smoking hot (286 yards, two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown), receiver Ja’Marr Chase returned to the game in style (seven receptions, 97 yards) and running back Samaje Perine was sublime with 106 yards rushing and 49 through the air.
This confrontation between Burrow and Patrick Mahomes, two of the standard bearers of the new generation of quarterbacks, did not disappoint. Burrow jumps into the conversation for MVP with the Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen.
Pratt plays the heroes
The young Bengals quarterback became the first to defeat Mahomes in three straight games. To date, only a man named Tom Brady has beaten Mahomes three times, but he also has three defeats against him.
The most ironic thing is that even if everyone dwells on the Burrow-Mahomes rivalry, it is ultimately a defensive game that will have made the difference.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were clinging to a 24-20 lead when Mahomes joined his trusted man, Travis Kelce, for a 19-yard gain. Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt snatched the ball from Kelce, however, to cover the fumble.
Regaining possession, the Bengals scored the game-winning touchdown, when Burrow joined Chris Evans in the end zone.
The Chiefs in turn orchestrated a push that aborted with a missed field goal on 55 yards. Some would say they should have tried to convert on fourth down, but Mahomes had just been sack-sacked by Joseph Ossai and he looked in bad shape as he retreated to the bench.
Major impact
This victory for the Bengals therefore has major consequences in the race for the playoffs. Since the Chiefs and Dolphins lost, the Bills are the big winners of the day, even if they were watching football with their feet on the beanbag.
They not only regain first place in their division, but also the driver’s seat in the American Conference, which provides home-court advantage in the playoffs.
For their part, the Bengals make sure to stay face to face with the Ravens in the North Division. The team is doing very well and it should be noted that after a tough start, the offensive line is recovering quite well. Burrow hasn’t had more than two sacks in his last four games.
Those who were planning the burial after a two-win, three-loss start to the season obviously need to revise their plans.
Big tile for the 49ers
A quick word is needed on the costly victory of the 49ers against the Dolphins. Kyle Shanahan’s men lost the services of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo when he suffered a broken foot and the coach confirmed after the game that his season was over.
That puts this team in a very uncomfortable position. In relief, seventh-round pick Brock Purdy has looked pretty good (25-for-37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception), but his lack of experience might hit sooner or later.
The 49ers remain a team built around their defense and running game, but Garoppolo brought them a healthy dose of experience and confidence. Even if he does not find himself as the central point of the attack, Purdy inherits an immense command. The 49ers have seemed cursed at this position for the past few years.
Winners
Jalen Hurts
The Eagles quarterback destroyed the Titans by racking up 380 yards through the air with three touchdown passes, in addition to a rushing touchdown. He earned points in the Most Valuable Player race.
Christian Watson
The Packers don’t have the expected season, but their rookie receiver Christian Watson continues to impose himself. In the win over the Bears, he scored two touchdowns, giving him eight in his last four games. In history, only Randy Moss has done so much as a rookie.
Jared Goff
Jared Goff is playing much better than expected this season and it’s time to give him some love. Against the Jaguars, the Lions center gained 340 yards and added two touchdown passes, to bring his total to 19.
Nick Bosa
The 49ers defensive end had a party against the Dolphins with three quarterback sacks, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss. He helped make Tua Tagovailoa’s day miserable.
Davante Adams
The Raiders receiver again had a say in the victory over the Chargers with eight receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns. It’s the third straight win for the Raiders.
losers
The Jets
The Jets weren’t bad offensively, but their lack of opportunity killed them. They scored just one touchdown in six appearances in the pay zone. They converted just two fourth downs in five attempts.
The Jaguars
Whenever this team shows encouraging signs, like last week, they find a way to come crashing down to earth. In the 40-14 loss to the Lions, we saw the good old Jaguars again.
The Chargers
The Chargers seem unable to win the big game this season. At this rate, it will be difficult to make the series and if so, driver Brandon Staley will be unemployed.
Commanders et Giants
Nothing against these two teams, on the contrary. It’s just sad to see that after a hard-fought game, their efforts are sabotaged by a draw. A draw is just too bad!
The Dolphins
The Dolphins missed a golden opportunity to beat the 49ers mortgaged by the injury of Jimmy Garoppolo. Brock Purdy was playing his first game in the NFL. We had to do much better.
Monday Showdown | week 13
Saints, New Orleans, 4-8
Andy Dalton
- 14 tds | 7 ints | 2023 vgs
Ranking in the division: 4
Offensive: 15e
Defensive: 12th
Buccaneers, Tampa Bay, 5-6
Tom Brady
- 14 tds | 2 ints | 3051 vgs
Division rank: 1
Offensive: 18e
Defensive: 9th
5 games of the week
Watson back
Deshaun Watson was returning to action after serving his 11-game suspension and the Browns quarterback certainly didn’t impress. The rust was present, he who had not played since January 2021. He completed 12 of his 22 passes for only 131 yards, with an interception in the end zone. He added 21 yards on the ground. All three Browns touchdowns came from the defense (Tony Fields II interception and Denzel Ward fumble return) and special teams (Donovan Peoples-Jones punt return).
AJ Brown haunts the Titans
Last winter, the Titans decided to trade AJ Brown to the Eagles. The receiver was fired up to make his old team pay. He shined with eight receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns. On his second touchdown, he showed the full extent of his talent by catching a 29-yard pass from Jalen Hurts even though cornerback Tre Avery covered him perfectly. Brown has transformed the Eagles offense this season.
Heart Vikings!
History repeats itself with the Vikings. They built a solid 20-3 lead over the Jets and then played with fire. They eventually won 27-22 when Camryn Bynum ended the Jets’ hopes by intercepting a pass from Mike White at the goal gate with 10 seconds left. It was a tenth victory for the Vikings and for the ninth time they won by a margin of eight points or less. Their supporters lose precious years of life expectancy!
The Ravens hold their breath
The Ravens won with difficulty against the Broncos, but beyond the victory, they are certainly concerned about the state of health of their quarterback Lamar Jackson. The latter left early in the match due to a knee injury. His backup, Tyler Huntley, orchestrated a fine winning drive for 91 yards, which ate 4 min 34 s. Two fourth down conversions were successful and Huntley scored the game-winning touchdown on a run. It looks like Jackson won’t see his season come to an end.
Encore Geno !
The Seahawks needed all their little change to overcome the Rams. Trailing 23-20, they regained possession with just under three minutes to play. Two of their three running backs were injured and even DeeJay Dallas, the lone survivor, was playing through injury. Quarterback Geno Smith took charge with a nice push until he joined DK Metcalf for the game-winning touchdown with 36 seconds left.
