NFL Highlights, Week 15
by Jordan Adams - 12/19/2006
Doc's Sports will look at the most important NFL highlights from a betting perspective each week of the football season. Here is where you can find out who covered, where the lines moved and also which teams were hot against the total.
Chicago Defeated Tampa Bay Sunday, 34-31.
The Bears wrapped up home field throughout the NFC portion of the playoffs, but it didn't come without a fight. Despite being up 31-17 with just ten minutes left, Bucs quarterback Tim Rattay, who came in for the ineffective Bruce Gradkowski, threw a 64-yard touchdown strike to Joey Galloway and a 44-yard score to Ike Hilliard to send the game to overtime. Robbie Gould had to redeem himself after missing his first kick in sudden death by nailing a 25-yarder to finally end it. Rex Grossman continued to turn his season around by throwing for 339 yards and two scores without any turnovers.
Tennessee Defeated Jacksonville Sunday, 24-17.
The Titans made it five straight and improved to 7-7 on the year. However, in this one Vince Young took a back seat to the other side of the ball. The Tennessee defense returned three turnovers for scores en-route to the victory. Adam 'Pacman' Jones opened up the scoring with an 83-yard interception return, and that was followed by a Cortland Finnegan 92-yard fumble return, not to be outdone by Chris Hope's 61-yard pick six that basically put the game out of reach. The Jags let their four turnovers decide the game despite the fact that they outgained the Titans 396-98.
Philadelphia Defeated New York Giants Sunday, 36-22.
Jeff Garcia again got it done for the Eagles as they took one more step towards the playoffs. He and the rest of the Philly offense outslugged New York and thanks to another poor game by Eli Manning the Giants fell yet again. The New York signal caller failed to throw a touchdown and turned the ball over twice in the loss. This latest loss now leaves them at 7-7 and hanging on to their postseason lives by a thread. They would almost need to win out and still get some help to ensure a playoff berth. Philly continued its emergence without Donovan McNabb and is just one game back of division leading Dallas. In fact, if Philly wins out they would take the NFC East crown.
San Diego Defeated Kansas City Sunday, 20-9.
The Chargers remain on pace to have home field throughout the AFC playoffs. They are the NFL's hottest team and have won eight in a row to hold the best mark in the conference at 12-2. The highlight of the game came when LT scored his first touchdown to break Paul Hornung's single-season scoring mark. The electric back went on to tally 199 yards on the ground and two scores. He has now scored at least two touchdowns for eight straight games, now sharing the record with John Riggins.
Indianapolis Defeated Cincinnati Monday, 34-16.
Peyton and his prolific offensive attack got back on track with a big win at home this past Monday night. He threw four touchdowns and the defense finally got its act together to deny the Bengals. Carson Palmer was limited to just 176 yards on 14-for-28 passing and no scores. Just as much, the Bengals were held to just 109 yards rushing, a week after giving up 375 to Jacksonville. Manning to Marvin Harrison continued to be the trend as the two added to their already prestigious record of 103 touchdowns together, hooking up for two more scores.