MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Byrnes

Riding a three-game winning streak, including victories over the defending NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cowboys travelled to Michigan to take on the Lions, who have alternated wins/losses for the last two months.

Week 14 began in Detroit:

Thursday Night:

Dallas (6-5-1) @ Detroit (7-5): Detroit 44-30

Playing at home for the second consecutive Thursday, the Lions made sure that they didn’t have a repeat of the 31-24 loss to Green Bay, on Thanksgiving Day.

Detroit running backs duo Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery accounted for over 100 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, and added 90 yards receiving to pace the Lions on offense.

Jared Goff added 309 yards through the air. and with Amon-Ra St. Brown fighting injury, Jameson Williams is becoming a steady target for Goff, catching 7 receptions for 96 yards.

Dallas RB Javonte Williams (67 yds-td) surpassed 1,000-yards rushing for the first time in his career and kicker Brandon Aubrey kicked five field goals (including his NFL-record 6th over 60 yards) to keep the score respectable..

In the end the difference came down to Detroit scoring touchdowns, while Dallas kicked field goals.

Sunday:

Pittsburgh (6-6) @ Baltimore (6-6): Pittsburgh 27-22

Looking to right the ship, the Steelers benefited from QB Aaron Rodgers (284 yards-2 total td’s) returning to old form, and together with new WR toy DK Metcalf (7 REC-148 yds) halted the 2-5 skid that helped bring the Ravens back to near division-leader.

Pittsburgh had some help from the refs, when they decided “two feet-down”  just wasn’t enough for a touchdown, when the same play on the sidelines would be ruled a catch. The league needs to clarify its ruling.

Lamar Jackson passed for 218 yards and a score, had 43 more on the ground, and matched Rodgers rushing touchdown. However, it is becoming obvious that Jackson has lost a step, missing elusiveness present in his MVP-seasons.

Derrick Henry added 94 rushing yards, and WR Zay Flowers contributed 8 receptions-124 yards in the loss.

Chicago (9-3) @ Green Bay (8-3-1): Green Bay 28-21

Flashbacks of the hard-fought divisional games of old, between the Bears and Packers, shined through for these teams.

After a horrible start with 2 yards passing halfway through the 2nd quarter for Caleb Williams, his two touchdown passes brought the Bears back to tie the game at 21-21. 

It wasn’t enough as the Packers QB Jordan Love (234yards-3 td’s) marched Green Bay down for Josh Jacobs (86 yards-td) to score from the 2-yard line.

The loss drops Chicago out of the Conference lead, giving it back to the LA Rams, and the Division is now the Packers to lose.

Other Sunday Games:

Mia 34 – NYJ 10

NO 24 – TB 20

Jax 36 – Ind 19

Ten 31 – Cle 29

Min 31 – Was 0

Sea 37 – Atl 9

Buf 39 – Cin 34

Den 24 – LV 17

LAR 45 – Ari 17

Hou 20 – KC 10

Monday Night:

Philadelphia (8-4) @ LA Chargers (8-4): LA Chargers 22-19

It’s odd that a quarterback can win a Super Bowl, have his team first in division, and get booed three straight games. However, it’s Philly and they booed Santa Claus so it’s no surprise they are calling for heads to roll.

Jalen Hurts gave “Philly Fan” reasons to boo all game, throwing four interceptions, and fumbling once to negate a fine defensive effort by the Eagles.

Seven sacks and three forced turnovers weren’t enough to overcome the turnovers by Hurts.

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker kicked five field goals, including a game-tying kick with :08 left in regulation, and the 54-yard game-winner in OT.

Key Injuries:

Det (S) Brian Branch (ankle)

Dal (WR) CeeDee Lamb (concussion)

Ind (QB) Daniel Jones (achilles)

NYJ (QB) Tyrod Taylor (groin)

LV (QB) Geno Smith (hand)

Byrnes Picks:

Week 14 Results:

(7-7) (134-73-1)

Week 15 Picks:

Tampa Bay over Atlanta

New England over Buffalo

Baltimore over Cincinnati

Jacksonville over NY Jets

Kansas City over LA Chargers

Houston over Arizona

Chicago over Cleveland

NY Giants over Washington

Philadelphia over Las Vegas

Seattle over Indianapolis

Denver over Green Bay

San Francisco over Tennessee

Carolina over New Orleans

LA Rams over Detroit

Dallas over Minnesota

Pittsburgh over Miami