Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning (18) congratulates wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) after Thomas scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium, yesterday.
WASHINGTON: The Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals all clinched play-off spots as the National Football League play-off picture came into sharper focus yesterday.
In the AFC, the post-season puzzle is nearly complete with the Patriots, Bengals, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts all confirmed as division champions and the Kansas City Chiefs having also secured a playoff berth.
With just one week remaining on the regular season schedule, the Miami Dolphins (8-7), Baltimore Ravens (8-7), San Diego Chargers (8-7) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) will battle for the AFC’s final wildcard spot.
Things are not as clear in the NFC, where all four division crowns are still up for grabs and only the Seahawks and Panthers have locked up playoff positions.
In Houston, Peyton Manning enjoyed a record smashing day throwing four touchdown passes as the Broncos (12-3) tamed the Texans 37-13 nailing down a third consecutive AFC West division title and a first round bye after the Chiefs (11-4) were surprised 23-7 by the Colts (10-5).
Manning’s four touchdown strikes gave him 51 for the season eclipsing the record of 50 set by the Patriots’ Tom Brady in 2007.
The San Diego Chargers remained in the AFC play-off hunt with a 26-13 win over the Oakland Raiders
The Seahawks entered yesterday with the NFL’s best record and unbeaten at home for two seasons but fell to 12-3 after being upset by the surprising Arizona Cardinals (10-5), who kept their own play-off dreams alive with a gritty 17-10 victory.
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer threw four interceptions but the Arizona defense could not be breached as Seattle failed to secure the NFC West division crown and home field advantage throughout the play-offs after suffering their first home defeat since Dec. 24, 2011.
After the Detroit Lions’ (7-8) playoff hopes disappeared in a 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) fell 38-31 to the Steelers on the Frozen Tundra at snowy Lambeau Field, the door was left wide open for the Chicago Bears (8-7) to close out yesterday action by locking up the NFC North.
But the sleepy Bears were demolished 54-11 by the Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) setting up a pair of winner-take-all matchups in next weekend’s regular season finales.REUTERS
