NFL 2008 RSS
Denver Broncos (8-5) at Carolina Panthers (10-3)
The Broncos have been good on the road, while the Panthers remain unbeaten at home.
The Broncos have won three in a row on the road (and are 3-0 vs. the NFC South this year). The Panthers, coming
off their impressive 38-23 Monday night win over Tampa Bay at home, remain undefeated at home this season (7-0).
"We're protecting our home," says Carolina DE JULIUS PEPPERS. "That's what we need to continue to do."
It will be a battle of offensive approaches.
The Denver Broncos with Jay Cutler at quarterback favor their passing attack. As a result, the Broncos have the NFL's
No. 3 pass offense. Cutler has been quite the phenom, but credit the Broncos offensive line as well. Cutler has not been
sacked in his past three games.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers invested in rebuilding their offensive line this past offseason. That investment plus
the coupling of rookie RB JONATHAN STEWART with DE ANGELO WILLIAMS has yielded quite the dividend. Case in point, the
Panthers rushing onslaught against the Buccaneers this past Monday Night. Stewart and Williams are the first teammates
in NFL history to each rush for 100 yards, score two rushing touchdowns and average 7.0 yards per carry.
The Panthers possess the NFL's 4th-best rushing attack and the only team with two rushers in the NFL's top-20 rushers in
Williams (1,141 yards) and Stewart (699 yards).
Broncos hold a three-game lead atop the AFC West over the Chargers (5-8)
Denver, one of just two teams (Tennessee) in the NFL to hold sole possession of first place in their division after
every game this year, can clinch its 11th division title with a win or tie against the Carolina Panthers
or a San Diego Chargers loss / tie in their road game against Kansas City on Sunday.
Broncos - Panthers Series
The Broncos and Panthers have only met twice in the regular season with Denver winning
both contests at home (1997, 2004)
The two teams last met on October 10, 2004, with Denver earning a 20-17 win. In that game, then
Denver QB Jake Plummer threw 2 TDs, including a 5-yarder to RB Reuben Droughns.
Reuben Droughns amassed for 193 rushing yards to help the Broncos start 4-1 for the third consecutive year
over the NFC defending champion Carolina Panthers in Denver.
NFL 2008 Week 14: Denver Broncos 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17
The Broncos are coming off a 24-17 win at home against the Chiefs in a game in which they allowed
a season-low 260 yards of offense.
Trailing 17-7 in the second quarter, the Broncos converted eight of their next 10 third-down attempts to overcome
the deficit en route to posting their AFC-best sixth 400+yard game (425) this season.
The Denver Broncos posted their highest time-of-possession total (36:38) of the season to snapped their three-game home
losing streak. Denver converted a season-best 64.3 percent (9-of-14) of their third-down attempts and compiled 425 yards
of offense and scoring touchdowns on three drives of at least 80 yards.
Behind an offensive line that did not allow a sack for the third consecutive game, quarterback Jay Cutler
completed a career-best 80 percent (32-of-40) of his passes for 286 yards with two touchdowns and one interception
(102.7 passer rating).
The Kansas City Chiefs took an early 10-0 lead after a 26-yard field goal by
Connor Barth plus a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Maurice Leggitt.
The Broncos countered with an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive that ended in a Hillis 18-yard rushing touchdown to trim
the Chiefs lead to 10-7.
In the seond quarter, the two teams exchanged touchdowns to end the first half with Kansas City ahead 17-14.
A 33-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater on the Broncos opening drive of the third quarter tied the game at 17
before Marshall's second touchdown of the day gave Denver a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Denver Broncos defense forced a turnover on downs when it stopped the Chiefs on a fourth-and-goal from
its 5-yard line with 4:44 left in the game to ensure the win.
NFL 2008 Week 14: Carolina Panthers 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23
The Carolina Panthers earned a 38-23 home win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-23 on Monday Night Football.
The Panthers were spectacular in playing arguably their best game of the season in primetime. The Panthers
compiled a franchise-record 299 rushing yards on 37 carries (8.1 avg.) against the Buccaneers, who entered the game
ninth in the NFL in run defense. It marked the Panthers sixth victory in their last seven games. More importantly,
this signature game convinced many (including myself) that the Panthers are as good, if not better than, as their
10-3 record indicates.
(See:
NFL 2008 Week 14: Bucs & Panthers to Break NFC South Deadlock on MNF )
The Panthers ended the Bucanners four-game winning streak.
Carolina established an early 3-0 lead when CB Ronde Barber intercepted Jake Delhomme in Buccaneers
territory. Tampa Bay drove to the Panthers one-yard line, but had to settle for a K Matt Bryant field goal
to tie the score at 3-3.
The Panthers ended the half leading 10-3 thanks to a Jonathan Stewart two-yard touchdown
run. The key play of the drive was a 40-yard DeAngelo Williams run.
Back-and-forth 3rd Quarter
On the first drive of the second half, Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips intercepted Delhomme
at midfield and two plays later, QB Jeff Garcia hit WR Antonio Bryant for a
50-yard score and a 10-10 tie.
The Carolina Panthers responded with a long touchdown pass of its own as Delhomme
found WR Steve Smith for a 38-yard score. Set up by a 39-yard pass to Bryant, RB Carnell Williams
tied the score at 17-17 with a four-yard touchdown run on the next possession,
Panther pull away in the 4th Quarter
But the Panthers again responded as Stewart ran in from four yards out to give Carolina a
24-17 advantage early in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defense forced the Buccaneers to punt
on their next possession and Carolina followed with another touchdown run as Williams scampered
for a 16-yard score and a 31-17 lead.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Garcia found Bryant in the back of the end zone for a
15-yard touchdown, but the extra point was blocked and Carolina held a 31-23 advantage. The Bucs onside
kick attempt failed and the Panthers secured the victory as Williams scored his second touchdown of the
evening on a 36-yard run with 2:07 left in the contest.
Wasted in the Bucs loss was WR Antonio Bryant's record-setting performance (9 receptions for
a career-high 200 yards and 2 TDs) and a spectacular one-handed grab for a touchdown in the back of the end-zone.
DENVER BRONCOS (8-5)
The Broncos aim for their 5th consecutive win against an NFC South opponents In 3 games vs.
an NFC South opponent in 2008, QB JAY CUTLER has completed 63 of 95 passes (66.3 pct.) for 707 yards with 4 TDs vs.
1 INT & 98.0 passer rating. Cutler (23) needs 4 TDs to tie JAKE PLUMMER (27 in 2004) & JOHN ELWAY (27 in '97) for
most TDs in season in Denver Broncos history. The Broncos are undefeated (10-0) when Cutler has 100 or better passer
rating RB TATUM BELL averages 5.3 rush yards per carry against NFC (140 attempts, 741 yards). For his career,
RB SELVIN YOUNG averages 5.3 yards per carry (188 attempts, 997 yards) WR BRANDON MARSHALL averages 89.6
receiving yards per game (269 total) against NFC in 2008. Rookie WR EDDIE ROYAL (2nd round, No. 42) leads NFL rookies
with 69 catches. WRs Marshall (83 receiving, 1,033 yards) & Royal (69 receiving, 799 yards) have totaled 152 receptions
for 1,832 yards TE TONY SCHEFFLER has 12 receptions for 151 receiving yards in past 2 CBs CHAMP
BAILEY (43) & DRE' BLY (40) rank 1st & 2nd among CBs for most INTs since 1999
CAROLINA PANTHERS (10-3)
Panthers QB JAKE DELHOMME completed 13 of 20 (65.0 pct.) for 173 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 109.0 passer
rating & added TD run in only start vs. Denver Broncos Delhomme aims for 4th win in row vs. an AFC opponent. As starter,
when Delhomme has 110.0 or better rating, the Broncos sport an undefeated record (15-0). The Panthers rushed for team-record 299 yards last week against the Bucs. RBs DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (team-record
186 yards, 2 TDs, 9.8 avg.) & rookie JONATHAN STEWART (115, 2, 7.7) became the first teammates to rush for 100 or more yards,
2 TDs & 7.0 or more avg. in the same game. Williams aims for 7th in row with TD. De Angelo Williams has 727 yards (121.2
per game) & 11 TDs in past 6. The Panthers are 12-1 when Hall rushes for 80 or more yards. Aims for 3rd in row vs. AFC
with 120 or more rush yards & TD. Has 263 yards (131.5 per game) & 3 TDs in past 2 vs. AFC. Stewart has 8 rush TDs &
ties for 2nd among NFL rookies WR STEVE SMITH aims for 4th in row with 100 or more yards. Has 21 catches for
390 yards (130.0 per game) in past 3. Became 1st Panther with 50 career TDs (42 receiving, 4 PR, 2 KR, 2 rush) last week
DE JULIUS PEPPERS ranks 1st in team history with 68.5 sacks & 25 FFs. Peppers has 12.5 sacks over the past 11 games.
Peppers has 1.5 or more sacks in 4 of past 5. In only meeting, had franchise-long 97-yard INT return.
PREDICTION: Carolina Panthers 38, Denver Broncos 21
Yes, the Broncos have a three game winning streak. And yes, the Broncos are 3-0 against the rest of the NFC South.
But these Panthers are for real and after last week's impressive win against the Buccaneers, these previously perceived
sleeping-giants of the NFC are not about to give up the momentum and respect they earned on Monday night. Yes, the
Panthers are on the road next week against the Giants, but don't expect them to be looking ahead.
It's the Broncos with the record that is much better than the actual team. The Broncos high-powered offense
will keep in them the game for a while, but the Panthers will wear down this Broncos defense which is one of the weakest in
the NFL ranking near the bottom in all the major defensive categories.
RELATED NFL 2008 Week 15
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Mad Dash to the Playoffs as NFL 2008 Season Enters Its Final 3 Weeks
The final three weeks of the NFL 2008 season are upon us, and aside from the division-winning Arizona Cardinals (8-5),
New York Giants (11-2) and Tennessee Titans (12-1), it's a mad dash for the nine remaining playoff spots among the 19 teams still
eligible. There will be twists and turns in the remaining 3 weeks of the NFL 2008 regular season.
Saints Face Bears and Chicago's December Chill
The big question is whether Quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints top-ranked NFL passing offense can perform up to
its explosive level outdoors in the December chill of the Chicago night. The New Orleans Saints utilized a more
balanced run / pass attack last week in topping the Atlanta Falcons 29-25.
Giants & Cowboys Look to Get Back to Their Winning Ways
The NFC East champion New York Giants (11-2) look to clinch a first round playoff bye as they visit the
Dallas Cowboys (8-5) in Texas Stadium on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys need to keep winning to insure a playoff berth as they hang on to
the last playoff spot in the NFC. The Giants are 5-1 on the road this season, and the Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 at home.
AFC North Division Rivals Set for Defensive Battle
NFL 2008 Week 15 presents one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL between two AFC North division foes as the
Steelers travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens this Sunday. On paper, this AFC North match-up should be one intense
defensive battle. Pittsburgh enters the contest ranked No. 1, while the Ravens are No. 2.
No Place Like Home in the NFC South
Falcons host Buccaneers in Make-or-Break Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons look to rebound after both lost on the road last week to NFC South Division rivals.
Both teams are in need of this win to maintain their standing in the NFC Wildcard race and perhaps the NFC South Divsion Title.
NFC Division Leading Vikings & Cardinals Clash in Desert
This Sunday's game is a match-up of first-place teams with 8-5 records as the Vikings visit the Cardinals in Arizona.
The Minnesota Vikings have a one-game lead on Chicago in the NFC North. The Cardinals are the NFC West champions.
NFL Playoff Races Intensify as Season Enters Final 3 Weeks
NFL 2008 Weekend 15 - Playoff Races, Playoff Scenarios & Strength of Schedule
With three weeks remaining in the regular season only 3 teams have clinched playoff spots while the race to make the
playoffs is even tighter.
NFL 2008 Week 14 was a week in which three teams clinched NFL playoff spots. The Tennessee Titans (12-1) clinched the
AFC South by defeating the Cleveland Browns 28-9. The Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West by winning 34-10 over the Saint
Louis Rams. And even though, they lost to the Eagles 2-14, the Giants clinched the NFC East by virtue of the Dallas Cowboys
20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
AFC East Leading Jets Aim to Rebound Against Bills
After defining moment victories on the road against the Patriots & Titans, the Jets have fallen to lesser opponents over the
past two weeks. First losing to the Broncos at home (34-17) and then losing to the 49ers (24-14) in San Francisco, the Jets
now find themselves in a dogfight for the AFC East title.
NFL 1958 Championship: Giants vs Colts
The Greatest NFL Game Ever Played
50th Anniversary of the Greatest NFL Game Ever Played: 1958 NFL Championship at Yankee Stadium
Fifty years ago this December 28, 2008, what would become known as "The Greatest Game every Played" took
place -– the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee
Stadium in New York City.
And when Colts fullback ALAN AMECHE burst through a hole
for a one-yard touchdown with 6:45 left in overtime (left) – at 4:51 on a foggy, drizzly day –
he took the National Football League with him into a new era.
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NFL 2008 WEEK 14 SCHEDULE
(All times local)
Thursday, December 4
Oakland at San Diego, 5:00 PM (NFLN)
Sunday, December 7
Miami at Buffalo (Toronto), 4:05 PM
Kansas City at Denver, 2:05 PM
N.Y. Jets at San Francisco, 1:05 PM
Jacksonville at Chicago, 12:00 PM
New England at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Minnesota at Detroit, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Arizona, 2:15 PM
Houston at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Dallas at Pittsburgh, 4:15 PM
Cincinnati at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Atlanta at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 PM
Cleveland at Tennessee, 12:00 PM
Washington at Baltimore, 8:15 PM (NBC)
Monday, December 8
Tampa Bay at Carolina, 8:30 PM (ESPN)
NFL 2008 WEEK 13 RESULTS – NOVEMBER 27, 30- DECEMBER 1
(Home team in CAPS)
Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27, 2008)
Tennessee Titans 47 DETROIT LIONS 10
DALLAS COWBOYS 34 Seattle Seahawks 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 48 Arizona Cardinals 20
Sunday, November 30
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 23 New Orleans Saints 20
N.Y. Giants 23 WASHINGTON REDSKINS 7
Atlanta Falcons 22 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 16
Pittsburgh Steelers 33 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10
Denver Broncos 34 N.Y. JETS 17
San Francisco 49ers 10 BUFFALO BILLS 3
Kansas City Chiefs 20 OAKLAND RAIDERS 13
Baltimore Ravens 34 CINCINNATI BENGALS 3
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 34 Chicago Bears 14
Indianapolis Colts 10 CLEVELAND BROWNS 6
Carolina Panthers 35 GREEN BAY PACKERS 31
Miami Dolphins 16 SAINT LOUIS RAMS 12
Monday, December 1
HOUSTON TEXANS 30 Jacksonville Jaguars 17
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