2012 After Week 16

We're down to the last game of the season. Here are the standings headed to the final week.

Week 16

Team...Record...Point Differential

1. Atlanta Falcons.......(13-2)...(+125)
2. Denver Broncos........(12-3)...(+157)
3. Houston Texans.........(12-3)...(+97)
4. New England Patriots..(11-4)...(+198)
5. Green Bay Packers.....(11-4)...(+100)
6. San Francisco 49ers.(10-4-1)...(+110)
7. Seattle Seahawks......(10-5)...(+160)
8. Baltimore Ravens.......(10-5)...(+60)
9. Indianapolis Colts.....(10-5)...(-42)
10. Chicago Bears..........(9-6)...(+96)
11. Cincinnati Bengals.....(9-6)...(+65)
12. Washington Redskins....(9-6)...(+38)

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out Minnesota Vikings......(9-6)...(+28)
out New York Giants........(8-7)...(+50)

The Giants loss to the Ravens last week knocked them out of playoff position. Their spot is filled by the Redskins, who were victorious over Philly. The last week of the season features two matchups between top twelve teams: #3 Houston at #9 Indianapolis and #8 Baltimore at #11 Cincinnati. If the season were to end today, the Colts would have return trip to Baltimore in the wild card round.

2012 NCAA First Round Playoff-Florida-40, Clemson-0

Gillislee ran for 167 and a TD in the victory (Getty Images)

December 15, 2012

Weather-72 degrees, 2 mph E

Gainesville, FL-Florida's offense played mistake-free and ran the ball well all afternoon while their defense pitched a shutout in a victory over Clemson, 40-0. The Gators churned out 284 yards on the ground, led by RB Mike Gillislee, who ran 29 times for 167 yards and a TD in a workhorse effort that symbolized the level of commitment from the Florida squad. Despite being blanked on the scoreboard, the Tigers managed 336 yards, but every time they threatened to score, the Florida defense was there to turn them away.

The Florida running attack also got solid outings from Trey Burton (63 yards, 2 TD) and Matt Jones (35 yards, TD). The Gators are assured of hosting an NCAA Quarterfinal from The Swamp next weekend.

Clemson Tigers.....(10-3)-0-0-0-0-0
Florida Gators.(12-1)-3-13-14-10-40

UF-Sturgis 33 FG
UF-Sturgis 37 FG
UF-Jones 26 run (Sturgis Kick)
UF-Sturgis 30 FG
UF-Burton 24 run (Sturgis Kick)
UF-Gillislee 4 run (Sturgis Kick)
UF-Burton 20 run (Sturgis Kick)
UF-Sturgis 39 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Cle-Ellington-21-80-0 (222-1,111-8), McDowell-9-59-0 (85-483-5), Boyd-17-26-0 (174-518-9), Howard-1-2-0 (35-139-2)
UF-Gillislee-29-167-1 (264-1,271-11), Burton-8-63-2 (32-229-4), Jones-5-35-1 (54-294-3), Driskel-16-19-0 (124-423-4)

Passing
Cle-Boyd-22-13-169-0-0 (399-264-3,719-34-13)
UF-Driskel-22-11-194-0-0 (238-151-1,665-11-3)

Receiving
Cle-Hopkins-3-43-0 (72-1,257-16), Watkins-3-36-0 (60-744-3), Brown-3-33-0 (23-366-0), Ford-3-20-0 (34-431-8), McDowell-1-37-0 (2-60-0)
UF-Dunbar-3-82-0 (34-388-4), Hammond-3-52-0 (23-325-3), Reed-2-24-0 (46-576-3), Burton-1-14-0 (18-178-1), Gillislee-1-14-0 (16-160-1), Andrades-1-8-0 (3-13-0)

2012 NCAA First Round Playoff-Stanford-31, Oklahoma-24 in OT

Taylor scored the game winner (AP)

December 14, 2012

Weather-47 degrees, 5 mph NNE

Stanford, CA-A ferocious pass rush from the Stanford defense was the difference as the Cardinal hung on against Oklahoma, 31-24 in OT. The Cardinal defense managed 12 sacks, as Landry Jones ran for his life most of the evening. Jones took a beating, yet managed to complete 24 of 40 for 322 yards and 3 TD to keep the Sooners in the game. Stanford QB Josh Nunes battled Jones throw for throw, completing 25 of 51 for 425 yards and 3 TD. Cardinal RB Stepfan Taylor was outstanding all season, and he maintained his spectacular play in this one, gaining 211 yards from scrimmage and scoring twice, including a 9-yard TD in overtime that gave Stanford the lead.

When Oklahoma tried to answer in OT, Jones was swarmed under by the Stanford pass rush and the Sooners went 4 and out. Stanford will advance to next weekend's quarterfinals for the second consecutive season.

Oklahoma Sooners.(10-3)-10-7-0-7-0-24
Stanford Cardinal.(12-2)-7-7-7-3-7-31

OU-Brown 19 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
SU-Taylor 49 pass from Nunes (Williamson Kick)
OU-Hunnicutt 33 FG
OU-Stills 30 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
SU-Montgomery 24 pass from Nunes (Williamson Kick)
SU-Pratt 16 pass from Nunes (Williamson Kick)
OU-Shepard 15 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
SU-Williamson 39 FG
SU-Taylor 9 run (Williamson Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
OU-Williams-17-99-0 (177-1,004-11), Clay-7-23-0 (90-534-6), Millard-2-1-0 (31-171-0), Jones-12-(-84)-0 (25-(-187)-0)
SU-Taylor-22-71-1 (324-1,513-13), Wilkerson-5-11-0 (50-204-1), Nunes-11-(-3)-0 (38-71-3)

Passing
OU-Jones-40-24-322-3-1 (547-356-4,316-32-11)
SU-Nunes-51-25-425-3-1 (286-149-2,068-13-8)

Receiving
OU-Brown-7-66-1 (73-888-5), Saunders-5-90-0 (58-856-3), Stills-4-67-1 (79-964-12), Williams-4-55-0 (33-356-1), Shepard-3-39-1 (44-617-4), Clay-1-5-0 (15-95-1)
SU-Taylor-6-140-1 (44-410-3), Terrell-5-78-0 (36-521-4), Patterson-4-62-0 (19-299-2), Montgomery-4-42-1 (27-229-1), Ertz-3-60-0 (69-897-6), Young-2-27-0 (10-101-0), Pratt-1-16-1 (2-18-1)

2012 NCAA First Round Playoff-Texas A&M-41, LSU-20

Malena rushed for 140 and 2 TD (Martinez/Getty Images)

December 14, 2012

Weather-61 degrees, 10 mph ESE

Baton Rouge, LA-The Aggies exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter to put away LSU, 41-20. Texas A&M RB Ben Malena rushed for 140 yards on 17 carries and scored twice in the fourth quarter. Heisman Trophy QB Johnny Manziel brought the Aggies back from 13-6 down to a 20-13 lead by throwing touchdowns to WR Mike Evans on back-to-back possessions in the second half. Texas A&M ran for 272 yards against LSU, eventually wearing down the Tigers front in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies advance to next week's quarterfinal round.

Texas A&M Aggies.(11-2)-3-3-7-28-41
LSU Tigers........(10-3)-3-3-7-7-20

TAM-Bertolet 50 FG
LSU-Alleman 43 FG
TAM-Bertolet 21 FG
LSU-Alleman 40 FG
LSU-Hill 43 run (Alleman Kick)
TAM-Evans 6 pass from Manziel (Bertolet Kick)
TAM-Evans 11 pass from Manziel (Bertolet Kick)
TAM-Michael 25 run (Bertolet Kick)
LSU-Landry 3 pass from Mettenberger (Alleman Kick)
TAM-Malena 48 run (Bertolet Kick)
TAM-Malena 29 run (Bertolet Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
TAM-Malena-17-140-2 (147-892-9), Michael-7-69-1 (95-486-13), Manziel-22-49-0 (206-1,230-19), Williams-8-14-0 (67-349-4)
LSU-Hill-20-68-1 (150-699-11), Hilliard-2-13-0 (82-469-6), Ware-10-4-0 (101-362-1), Ford-1-2-0 (70-395-3), Mettenberger-8-(-19)-0 (49-(-186)-0)

Passing
TAM-Manziel-17-11-141-2-0 (417-284-3,560-26-8)
LSU-Mettenberger-37-18-235-1-0 (366-211-2,724-12-6)

Receiving
TAM-Evans-4-46-2 (79-1,068-7), Hicks-3-32-0 (10-92-0), Nwachukwu-2-40-0 (25-444-6), Swope-2-23-0 (66-832-7)
LSU-Boone-4-86-0 (28-420-4), Dickson-4-50-0 (9-119-0), Landry-4-31-1 (56-567-5), Beckham-3-38-0 (43-711-2), Wright-2-18-0 (20-260-0), Jacobs-1-12-0 (6-70-0)

2012 After Week 15

Only 2 games left in the 2012 season. Here are the standings.

Week 15

Team...Record...Point Differential

1. Houston Texans........(12-2)...(+114)
2. Atlanta Falcons.......(12-2)...(+112)
3. Denver Broncos........(11-3)...(+135)
4. San Francisco 49ers.(10-3-1)...(+139)
5. New England Patriots..(10-4)...(+191)
6. Green Bay Packers......(10-4)...(+52)
7. Seattle Seahawks.......(9-5)...(+131)
8. Baltimore Ravens........(9-5)...(+41)
9. Indianapolis Colts......(9-5)...(-49)
10. Chicago Bears..........(8-6)...(+81)
11. New York Giants........(8-6)...(+69)
12. Cincinnati Bengals.....(8-6)...(+62)

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out Washington Redskins....(8-6)...(+31)
out Minnesota Vikings......(8-6)...(+11)

Once again, the same twelve teams are in playoff position that were in place last week. This week, there are 2 matchups between current playoff teams: #11 New York at #8 Baltimore and #4 San Francisco at #7 Seattle. If the season ended today, the best wildcard playoff may me a rematch of last season's real-life playoff clash between the Giants and Packers, or perhaps a return to their ancestral home for the Colts, visiting the Ravens.

2012 NCAA First Round Playoff-Alabama-52, Northern Illinois-3

McCarron throws for 390 and 4 TD (AP)

December 14, 2012

Weather-73 degrees, 8 mph S

Tuscaloosa, AL-The Crimson Tide demonstrated just how prepared they are to repeat as National Champions by crushing Northern Illinois, 52-3. Both sides of the ball prospered against the Huskies out of the MAC conference. Offensively, Alabama gained 580 yards and scored 42 first-half points. On defense, the Crimson Tide limited the NIU offense to 149 yards and 3 points. Alabama QB A.J. McCarron completed 21 of 28 passes for 390 yards and 4 TD. T.J. Yeldon gained 115 yards rushing to pace the Crimson Tide running game, scoring twice. Eddie Lacy ran for 61 yards and caught passes for 76 yards, including a 64-yard TD that gave Alabama a 14-3 lead.

Alabama will host an NCAA Quarterfinal Game next weekend.

Northern Illinois Huskies.(12-2)-3-0-0-0-3
Alabama Crimson Tide...(13-1)-14-28-3-7-52

Ala-Williams 8 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
NI-Sims 28 FG
Ala-Lacy 64 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Yeldon 61 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Yeldon 8 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Bell 2 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Norwood 69 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Shelley 44 FG
Ala-Drake 10 run (Shelley Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
NI-Settle-14-54-0 (115-507-5), Lynch-29-23-0 (300-1,794-19), Daniels-7-20-0 (72-452-9), Harris-8-12-0 (63-238-4)
Ala-Yeldon-16-115-2 (170-1,115-13), Lacy-18-61-0 (202-1,243-16), Drake-6-16-1 (45-289-6), McCarron-7-(-2)-0 (55-(-7)-1)

Passing
NI-Lynch-12-5-40-0-0 (365-227-3,002-24-5)
Ala-McCarron-28-21-390-4-1 (314-212-3,059-30-4)

Receiving
NI-Ashford-1-15-0 (31-369-1), Eakes-1-11-0 (9-279-0), Schepler-1-8-0 (4-73-1), Daniels-1-5-0 (19-197-2), Settle-1-1-0 (5-21-0)
Ala-Norwood-4-111-1 (30-506-5), Cooper-4-80-0 (56-974-9), Lacy-3-76-1 (23-248-2), Williams-3-41-1 (24-207-4), Jones-3-33-0 (28-361-4), Bell-2-19-1 (19-450-4), White-1-19-0 (9-124-2), Johnson-1-11-0 (5-45-0)

2012 After Week 14

Three games left to go. Here are the standings.

Week 14

Team...Record...Point Differential

1. Houston Texans.......(11-2)...(+102)
2. Atlanta Falcons.......(11-2)...(+78)
3. New England Patriots.(10-3)...(+198)
4. Denver Broncos.......(10-3)...(+118)
5. San Francisco 49ers.(9-3-1)...(+132)
6. Baltimore Ravens.......(9-4)...(+58)
7. Green Bay Packers......(9-4)...(+44)
8. Indianapolis Colts.....(9-4)...(-37)
9. New York Giants.......(8-5)...(+103)
10. Seattle Seahawks......(8-5)...(+98)
11. Chicago Bears.........(8-5)...(+89)
12. Cincinnati Bengals....(7-6)...(+41)

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out Pittsburgh Steelers...(7-6)...(+14)
out Washington Redskins...(7-6)...(+14)

The same twelve teams are still in playoff position this week, with a general tightening of the strings after both #1 and #2 lost. This may be the best week of games all season, as there are five different matchups involving current playoff teams: #8 Indianapolis at #1 Houston, #4 Denver at #6 Baltimore, #9 New York at #2 Atlanta, #7 Green Bay at #11 Chicago, and #5 San Francisco at #3 New England.