LIVE Play-By-Play Coverage from Week 13's Raiders vs. Bills Game!

We haven't forgotten the 1991 AFC Championship Game, you assholes.

By: Jimbo X
JimboXAmerican@gmail.com
@Jimbo___X

Join The Internet Is In America on Sunday, Dec. 4, for our LIVE play-by-play (well, more like possession-by-possession, but that shit is deathly for SEO) coverage of week 13's Raiders vs. Bills game. The shenanigans begin at 3 p.m. eastern time (with updates every commercial break) so be sure to bookmark this shit before kickoff. And as always, do us and yourselves a kindness and let all your fellow Raiders fans know what we're up to by posting links to our coverage on your social media pages. Hey, we're all in this together, remember (#silverandblacklivesmatter) ...

2:50 p.m. - Kickoff is in about an hour. The Raiders defend their home turf with a 9-2 record while the Bills are hovering just above .500 with a 6-5 record.

2:51 p.m. - The Raiders are three point favorites and the over/under is set at 49. 

2:52 p.m. - Tight end Charles Clay is day-to-day for Buffalo. Shilique Calhoun and Stacy McGee are both out for Oakland. D.J Hyden is on injured reserve and Latavius Murray and Michael Crabtree are both questionable.

2:53 p.m. - Buffalo is 7-4 against the spread while the Raiders are 6-5. The Bills are 5-2 as underdogs while the Raiders are 1-4 as the favorites.

2:54 p.m. - The Raiders are averaging 27.9 points per game while the Bills are averaging 25.5. The average Raiders opponent scores 25 points, whereas the average Bills foe puts up 21.5.

2:55 p.m. - The Raiders are putting up 283 passing yards a game, compared to 195 for the Bills. Buffalo, however, are averaging more rushing yards per contest - 157.4 to 112.4.

2:56 p.m. - And defensively? The Raiders are allowing opponents 282.9 passing yards and 116.9 rushing yards a game, while the Bills are letting their adversaries put up 246.9 passing yards and 114.2 rushing yards a game.

4:01 p.m. - Well, do send your regards to the Atlanta Falcons, who managed to give away what would've been a game-winning PAT in favor a failed two-point conversion pass that resulted in a game-winning pick-two for Eric Berry.

4:05 p.m. - Raiders get it first and will begin from their own 25.

4:07 p.m. - Murray with a five yard run to begin the game.

4:08 p.m. - Murray hit at the line on second down.

4:08 p.m. - Third and five. Yellow flags everywhere.

4:09 p.m. - Neutral zone infraction against the Bills.

4:09 p.m. - Incomplete to Rivera on first down.

4:10 p.m. - Carr's pinkie is still taped up. Under pressure, he floats the ball away.

4:10 p.m. - Third and 10. An illegal procedure call against Oakland makes it three and 15. That cost the Raiders a 51-yard catch and run.

4:12 p.m. - Murray with nowhere near enough to move the chains. 

4:13 p.m. - King punts it away. The Bills fair catch it within their own 20.

4:14 p.m. - And the Broncos put away Jacksonville, in case you were wondering.

4:20 p.m. - Well, the Bills marched downfield to the OAK 3. Third and goal for Buffalo. And Bruce Irvin sacks T-Mobile to save the TD.

4:21 p.m. - Dan Carpenter knocks a 27-yarder to make it 3-0 Buffalo, with about eight minutes left in the first quarter.

4:24 p.m. - Richard fair catches it in the end zone.

4:24 p.m. - Murray with a huge run - about 20 yards on the carry.

4:25 p.m. - Murray with about one on the run.

4:26 p.m. - Second and nine. Amari Cooper can't reel in the pass.

4:26 p.m. - Third and nine. Rivera with a 26-yard catch to put it deep in Bills' territory.

4:27 p.m. - Richard with a six yard run on the follow-up. Flags are down.

4:28 p.m. - Ten yard holding penalty against the Raiders.

4:28 p.m. - And that is followed up with a defensive penalty against the Bills.

4:29 p.m. - First and 15. Richard gets three, maybe four yards on the run.

4:30 p.m. -  Third and 13 after Amari Cooper can't hold onto the ball.

4:31 p.m. - Incomplete to Murray. Here comes Sea-bass.

4:31 p.m. - And the 47-yarder is good. It's 3-3 with about four and a half minutes left in quarter number one.


4:34 p.m. - The Bills return man eats it right at the BUF 20.

4:35 p.m. - McCoy gets a yard on the first down run.

4:35 p.m. - Christian gets enough to move the sticks.

4:36 p.m. - That was a 14-yard catch.

4:36 p.m. - McCoy with about two running it.

4:37 p.m. - Tate takes it up to midfield. A 12 yard completion.

4:37 p.m. - McCoy with an eight yard run. 

4:38 p.m. - Second and two. A 29-yard run from the back that isn't McCoy ensues.

4:39 p.m. - Mike Gillislee with another run up the gut. About five yards.

4:39 p.m. - Second and five. McCoy very close to getting a first down.

4:40 p.m. - Third and one. And that's it for the first quarter.

4:42 p.m. - Still third and one, deep in Oakland territory. 

4:43 p.m. - Gillislee gets enough for the first, but he can't reach the end zone.

4:44 p.m. - First and goal. The back can't get in.

4:44 p.m. - Second and like, two centimeters. And this time Gillislee powers his way through. 

4:45 p.m. - The PAT is good. Buffalo leads it 10-3 with 13 minutes left in the second quarter.

4:48 p.m. - Richard hit at the 20 on the kick-off. 

4:51 p.m. - Taiwan Jones runs about 10 yards to move the sticks.

4:51 p.m. - Murray gets about two on the first down carry.

4:52 p.m. - Carr slings it to Crabtree for eight yards.

4:52 p.m. - Third and one. Doesn't look like Murray has enough for the new set of downs.

4:53 p.m. - King out to punt.

4:54 p.m. - And that'll be a kickback.

4:56 p.m. - O'Leary with an eight yard catch and run.

4:56 p.m. - Second and two. McCoy with a 14-yard run.

4:57 p.m. - McCoy gets about five yards.

4:58 p.m. - And a white boy from southern Utah sacks T-Mobile. How about that?

4:59 p.m. - Third and 14. T-Mobile scrambles to pick up the first. 

4:59 p.m. - Woops, it's against Richie Incognito for holding. There goes that 20-yard run.

5:00 p.m. - Third and 24. And T-Mobile just throws it away. A hell of a defensive showing from the Raiders' D on this one.

5:00 p.m. - And a terrible punt gives the Raiders the ball back at their own 38.

5:04 p.m. - Murray loses a yard on a shitty end-around attempt.

5:04 p.m. - Second and 11. Murray plows through traffic to enter Bills' territory.

5:04 p.m. - Murray gets two, maybe three on the run.

5:05 p.m. - Crabtree with a four yard catch and run.

5:06 p.m. - Third and four. Flag on the deep pass to Seth Roberts. 

5:06 p.m. - Pass interference against Buffalo pretty much puts the Raiders in the red zone.

5:07 p.m. - A 27-yard penalty. Roberts drops it in the end zone on first down.

5:07 p.m. - Richard with about seven on second down.

5:08 p.m. - Third and two. And Murray punches it in to move the sticks.

5:08 p.m. - And Crabtree drops a perfect pass in the end zone.

5:09 p.m. - Second and 10. Carr scrambles for about four.

5:10 p.m. - Third and seven. Incomplete pass. But there is a flag down in the end zone.

5:11 p.m. - And Crabtree gets hit with a 15 yard taunting penalty.

5:11 p.m. - So Sea-bass has to kick. From 40-plus yards out, he's right on the money. That makes it 10-6, Buffalo, with about three minutes left in the half.

5:15 p.m. - Bills begin their next drive around their own 25.

5:17 p.m. - McCoy with about five on the run.

5:18 p.m. - T-Mobile throws a deep pass way out of bounds. Jihad Ward slow to get up.

5:18 p.m. - Third and four. Delay of game penalty against Buffalo.

5:19 p.m. - Third and nine. T-Mobile appears to have scrambled enough to move the sticks.

5:20 p.m. - That's our two-minute warning.

5:23 p.m. - Mack hits McCoy in the backfield for a two-yard loss.

5:23 p.m. - McCoy with about eight on second and 12.

5:23 p.m. - Third and three. And the pass to Sammy Watkins is overthrown.

5:24 p.m. - Thirty seconds left in the second half. The Raiders take over around their own 10.

5:25 p.m. - Cooper with a huge pick-up - a 22-yard completion. Raiders take a timeout.

5:27 p.m. - Crabtree with a 17-yard completion. 

5:27 p.m. - Fifteen seconds left. Murray runs for about 10. 

5:28 p.m. - Murray hurdles out of bounds. The field goal unit is out.

5:29 p.m. - A 47-yard attempt. Buffalo calls a timeout.

5:30 p.m.- Sea-Bass is automatic. That makes it 10-9, Buffalo as the first half concludes.

5:30 p.m. - A very close game, statistically, heading into halftime. The Bills have 192 total yards, but the Raiders have quickly jumped up to 168. The Raiders are outpassing the Bills 112 to 94, while the Bills are outrunning the Raiders 98 to 56.

5:48 p.m. - Well, shit. T-Mobile just scored a TD. Ain't that some shit.

5:49 p.m. - A 12-yard scrambling T-Mobile TD makes it 17-9 Raiders.

5:50 p.m. - Under pressure, Carr throws it away on second and nine.

5:50 p.m. - Third and nine. Roberts can't reel it in. 

5:51 p.m. - No pass interference call. Raiders have to punt. A bad kick puts the ball right around midfield. Fuck it all.

5:54 p.m. - Tate drops the pass. Flag is down.

5:55 p.m. - Second and 10 for the Bills. Sorry, I spaced out on what the penalty was.

5:56 p.m. - McCoy dropped about a yard shy of the first down marker.

5:56 p.m. - And the Bills convert on third down. A five yard run for Gillislee.

5:57 p.m. - T-Mobile incomplete. Bills around the OAK 25 now.

5:57 p.m. - McCoy with seven, maybe eight on the run.

5:58 p.m. - And Goodwin converts on third and two.

5:59 p.m. - Watkins gets six. The Bills are at the OAK 5.

5:59 p.m. - Gillislee stopped right at the first down line. I think.

6:00 p.m. - It's short.

6:01 p.m. - Third and inches for the Bills. And Gillislee has no problem marching into the end zone.

6:02 p.m. - That's his second of the game. The PAT is good. It's 24-9, Buffalo.

6:05 p.m. - It'll be a kickback. Raiders will start at their own 25.

6:05 p.m. - Walford with his first catch of the game, and it's a big pick up.

6:06 p.m. - Richard with no gain on the first down run.

6:06 p.m. - Second and 10. Roberts reels it in, and the Raiders are now in Bills' territory.

6:07 p.m. - Roberts with four, perhaps five on the catch and run.

6:07 p.m. - Murray with a big run up the gun to take the Raiders to the BUF 25.

6:08 p.m. - And a shotgun pass to Crabtree takes OAK to the five yard line.

6:08 p.m. - Buffalo calls a timeout.

6:09 p.m. - First and goal for the Raiders. Carr floats out of bounds on a blitz.

6:10 p.m. - Murray with about three yards gained on the run.

6:11 p.m. - TOUCHDOWN MICHAEL CRABTREE!

6:12 p.m. - Sea-Bass boinks the extra point to make it 24-16, Buffalo.

6:15 p.m. - And Tate gets nailed within the Bill's own 10 on the kick-off.

6:16 p.m. - McCoy with four, maybe five on the run.

6:16 p.m. - And McCoy is slowwwww getting up.

6:19 p.m. - The back gets smashed at the line. 

6:19 p.m. - Third and four. And T.J. Carries breaks up the pass. The Bills go three and out and have to punt.

6:20 p.m. - And Richard takes the punt return down to the BUF 40.

6:21 p.m. - Crabtree gets four, maybe five yards on the catch.

6:21 p.m. - Second and six. Richard breaks out a 20-yard run to take the Raiders down to the BUF 15.

6:22 p.m. - Richard gets about three on the run.

6:23 p.m. - Second and seven. Rivera hauls it in right at the first down marker.

6:23 p.m. - It's first and goal. TOUCHDOWN LATAVIUS MURRAY! Sea-Bass doinks it off the upright, but it's still good. And like that, the Buffalo lead has been cut down to 24-23.

6:28 p.m. - Bills start at their own 25. T.J. Carries bats down the pass.

6:28 p.m. - Irvin hits McCoy right at the line.

6:29 p.m. - Third and 10. And the Bills commit an offsides penalty to make it third and 15.

6:30 p.m. - And that's the end of the third quarter, folks.

6:32 p.m. - David Amerson breaks it up. Another three and out for the Bills.

6:33 p.m. - And the Raiders will get it back around their own 40.

6:34 p.m. - Nothing going on first down.

6:34 p.m. - Second and 10. Crabtree can't haul in the home run shot. He's walking off field now.

6:35 p.m. - Looks like he hurt his ring finger. Third and 10. And Rivera reels in the 15 yard shot. A flag is down.

6:36 p.m. - OK, never mind, they call it a legal hit after all. Still a first down haul, no matter how you call it.

6:37 p.m. - The pass is too high for Holmes.

6:37 p.m. - Second and 10. TOUCHDOWN AMARI COOPER!


6:38 p.m. - A 37-yard TD for No. 89. That's 21 unanswered points from the Raiders. And with the Sea-Bass extra point, the Raiders take the lead 30-24. 

6:43 p.m. - Third and eight for the Bills. He's hit as he's thrown, and it's an incompletion.

6:44 p.m. - And Richard takes the punt up to midfield. Penalty flags are down.

6:45 p.m. -  The Raiders assessed a 10 yard penalty for holding.

6:48 p.m. - Richard with six, perhaps seven on the first down run.

6:48 p.m. - And Crabtree takes it all the way down to the 40.

6:48 p.m. - Richard gets one on the run.

6:49 p.m. - Second and nine. Raiders take a timeout.

6:50 p.m. - Carr on the run has to throw it away.

6:51 p.m. - Third and nine. Carr chunks it to Murray, but it's goign nowhere. Raiders have to punt.

6:52 p.m. - And the Raiders down it at the BUF 4.

6:55 p.m. - NATE ALLEN WITH THE INTERCEPTION!

6:55 p.m. - Murray hit in the backfield for a loss.

6:56 p.m. - Richard with a good seven, perhaps even eight yard run.

6:57 p.m. - Third and two. Raiders take another timeout.

6:59 p.m. - Murray runs it down the gut and gets the first down.

7:00 p.m. - TOUCHDOWN LATAVIUS MURRAY!

7:00 p.m. - Raiders go for two, and of course, they get it. That makes it 38-24, Raiders.

7:02 p.m. - For those keeping score at home - that's 29 unanswered points for Oakland.

7:03 p.m. - The Bills get it back at their own 25.

7:04 p.m. - Five yard catch for McCoy.

7:05 p.m. - The receiver goes down a yard shy of the marker. But a flag is down.

7:05 p.m. - Offsides against the Raiders. That'll be five free yards and a re-do of second down.

7:05 p.m. - McCoy goes down right at the line.

7:06 p.m. - McCoy out of bounds after a five yard run.

7:06 p.m. - Goodwin gets enough to move the sticks.

7:07 p.m. - T-Mobile chased in the backfield, and he gets sacked right at the line.

7:07 p.m. - Goodwin hauls in the catch. That's 12-yards.

7:08 p.m. - O'Leary bobbles it on first down.

7:09 p.m. - Second and 10. He goes down a yard shy of the first down marker.

7:10 p.m. - And Reggie Bush (yes, he's still playing pro football) runs three yards to convert.

7:10 p.m. - T-Mobile overthrows Sammy Watkins.

7:11 p.m. - Second and 10. T-Mobile under pressure and the receiver catches it out of bounds.

7:11 p.m. - Third and 10. Flag against the Bills. That makes it third and 15.

7:12 p.m. - And McCoy runs for about 14 yards. 

7:13 p.m. - That's a new first down for the Bills. Buffalo at the OAK 20.

7:13 p.m. - KHALIL MACK WITH THE STRIP SACK AND THE FUMBLE RECOVERY!

7:14 p.m. - Raiders take over with about three minutes left on the clock. The Bills call a timeout.

7:15 p.m. - Third and four for the Raiders. Looks like Murray was a yard shy. Bills take a timeout.

7:17 p.m. - King out to punt with two and a half minutes left in the fourth. 

7:18 p.m. - Flag down. Gotta' be roughing the punter. But King gets penalized 15 yards for picking up the yellow flag. Whoops.

7:19 p.m. - First and 25 for the Raiders. Murray with a two yard run. And that's the two-minute warning.

7:23 p.m. - Second and 23. The Bills are out of timeouts. 

7:24 p.m. - Raiders just running out the clock. Third and 21. Murray gets about two yards.

7:25 p.m. - Less than a minute left. Raiders punting with 28 seconds left on the clock. The Bills get it back around the 30 with 18 seconds left on the clock.

7:26 p.m. - T-Mobile throws it away under pressure. Ten seconds left.

7:27 p.m. - Incomplete pass from T-Mobile. Six seconds left.

7:28 p.m. - McCoy goes down. And that's all she wrote from Oakland, Calif., folks.

7:35 p.m. - Our final score from the right side of the bay? Oakland 38, the Bills 24. 

7:36 p.m. - And with that victory, the Raiders chalk up their sixth consecutive win of the season and improve to 10-2 on the year. 

7:36 p.m. - Needless to say ... I fucking love football sometimes. 

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2016 NCAA Football Top 25 Rankings (Week 13!)

Tell the Associated Press to take a hike ... these are the only college pigskin rankings you ought to pay any attention to.

By: Jimbo X

JimboXAmerican@gmail.com
@Jimbo___X

This Week's Episode:

"That championship-kind-of feeling..."

The A.P.? The USA Today's Coaches Poll? Whatever jibber-jabber is being puked out over at ESPN and Bleacher Report? Puh-leeze, we all know those alleged "Top 25" countdowns are pathetic jokes penned by homers, Power Five loyalists and Notre Dame nuthuggers. That's why I decided to release my own weekly rundown of the best FBS college football squads in the States, completely devoid of all the usual fanboyism and corporate malarkey that makes lists of the like elsewhere so unbelievably annoying.

Throughout the regular season, a new installment will go up every Wednesday morning, so you may want to bookmark this sucker for future reference ... and to show to all of your fellow NCAA football lovin' chums, so they can know that - at least somewhere out in the tangled, endlessly frustrating World Wide Web - there's someone on the Internet with some goddamn horse sense when it comes to ranking college 'ball teams.

01

Alabama (12-0)

Next Opponent: vs. Florida (Dec. 03)

Well, as expected, Bama put a hurtin' on Auburn in the Iron Bowl. At this point, even a fluke loss to Florida in the SEC title game is unlikely to keep Alabama out of the playoffs - just as long as they don't get beat 56-0 by the Gators (a scenario about as likely as Rob Schneider winning next year's Best Actor Oscar), the Tide is essentially a lock for at least one playoff appearance. 

02

Western Michigan (12-0)

Next Opponent: vs. Ohio (Dec. 02)

The only thing standing between the Broncos and an undefeated (regular) season is Ohio (no, not that one, the one nobody cares about.) Pending WMU wins this weekend's tilt, one has to wonder which "big six" bowl game they will be slotted into ... and of course, which Power Five regular they will eventually end up battling. 

03

Ohio State (11-1)

Next Opponent: T.B.A.

The Buckeyes find themselves in a very weird predicament. Following their double O.T. thriller of a victory over arch rivals Michigan, they actually wound up losing their spot in the Big Ten Championship on account of Penn State winning later that evening ... this, despite the fact the Buckeyes have a better overall record than the Nittany Lions. Anyway, not that any of that shit matters; regardless, the Buckeyes will be competing in the National Championship playoffs later this year, no matter who fucking wins the Big 10. 

04

Clemson (11-1)

Next Opponent: vs. Virginia Tech  (Dec. 03)

After besting South Carolina, all the Tigers have to do is get past Virginia Tech and they have to be considered playoffs locks. Then again, if they lose, that opens the floodgates for about five or six different two-loss teams to enter the fray - stay tuned, folks ... the Hokies might just fuck things up real good for us this Saturday.

05

Washington (11-1)

Next Opponent: vs. Colorado (Dec. 02)

The Huskies are in pretty much the same spot as Clemson. Win, and they're in, but if they lose to Colorado this Friday? Then it's time to say a lot of prayers. I mean a lot. 

06

Penn State (10-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Wisconsin (Dec. 03)

By virtue of defeating OSU earlier in the season, the Big 10 math allowed Penn State to leap over the Buckeyes and represent the East in the championship shindig - even though Ohio State's 11-1 record is, you know, better than the Nittany Lions' 10-2 record. Even if Penn State does manage to knock off Wisconsin this weekend, it seems like their chances of making the four-team playoffs is slim to none - while Ohio State, who isn't even playing in its own conference's championship game, is practically a lock. Yeah, it don't make no damn sense to me, neither.  

07

Wisconsin (10-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Penn State (Dec. 03)

Even if the Badgers bump off Penn State Saturday, they probably aren't going to make it into the four-team playoffs. Will, that is, unless Clemson and Washington both lose in their respective championship games. At that point? Yeah, I'd consider it more or less a jump ball. 

08

Oklahoma (9-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Oklahoma State (Dec. 03)

Pretty much whoever wins the Oklahoma/Oklahoma State donnybrook this weekend will become the de facto champion of the Big 12. Alas, it seems unlikely that whoever comes out on top will get invited to the big dance ... unless of course, we see a slate of monumental upsets on Championship Saturday (and Friday.)

09

Oklahoma State (9-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Oklahoma (Dec. 03)

Even if the Cowboys do manage to triumph over Oklahoma this Saturday, there's no telling, really, where they will wind up in the big bowl stampede. A playoffs berth is extraordinarily unlikely, but I guess there is an outside shot they get into one of the other New Year's Eve or New Year's Day biggies.

10

Michigan (10-2)

Next Opponent: vs.  T.B.A.

Although participating in one of the most exciting college games of the season isn't much of a consolation prize, the Wolverines can at least take pride in giving Ohio State everything they could handle in the double O.T. thriller last Saturday. As for Michigan's next step, it seems like a major New Year's bowl is pretty much a given - although, at this point, there's no telling who their ideal opponent would be. 

11

Colorado (10-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Washington (Dec. 02)

If Colorado beats Washington, it would be a monumental upset. But would it be enough to get the Buffaloes into the National Championship playoffs mix? Eh, you really don't need a Magic Eight-Ball to tell you "don't count on it."

12

Navy (9-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Temple (Dec. 03)

The Midshipmen have an opportunity to claim the ACC crown this weekend, in what should be a no-defense-allowed, entertaining as hell score-fest against Temple. The bigger question, however, is where, who and when will they be playing next ... and will it be against a legitimate Power-Five challenger?

13

West Virginia (9-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Baylor (Dec. 03)

Since the Big 12 don't technically have a championship game, the Mountaineers couldn't win it no how. That said, I'm pretty sure there's some sort of fluky arithmetic that would give WVU the best overall record in the conference this Sunday - like, they beat Baylor, Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State, or some other nonsense. TL;DR - these guys ain't going anywhere near the playoffs. 

14

South Florida (10-2)

Next Opponent: T.B.A.

The Bulls put in a pretty solid showing in the 2016 season. Really, the entire AAC has been balling - six teams in the conference wrapped up their regular season campaigns with at least eight victories.

15

Boise State (10-2)

Next Opponent: T.B.A.

And a shock upset to Air Force pretty much wipes out any big time bowl bids for the blue turfers. Furthermore, it bumps them out of the MWC Championship Game, which has to add extra salty insult to injury. 

16

Troy (9-2)

Next Opponent: vs. Georgia Southern (Dec. 03)

Yep, the Trojans are heavy favorites heading into their Sun Belt Championship clash with Georgia Southern. For bonus points, can you name a.) the nickname of Georgia Southern and b.) which city the university is in? If you replied "don't nobody give a shit and never will," congratulations!

17

USC (9-3)

Next Opponent: T.B.A.

The Trojans are the best three loss team in the country and anybody who argues to the contrary is a damned fool. Which, naturally, begs the question - how comes these kids couldn't have played as excellently as they did down the stretch at the very beginning of the season?

18

Stanford (9-3)

Next Opponent: T.B.A.

With Christian McCaffrey pretty much a lock for the NFL draft next spring, the always singular Cardinal are going to have to do a lot of retooling to their offense in the offseason. While they probably won't get a back as talented as their outgoing rusher, they at least have a pretty solid aerial attack in tact as a starting point for '17. 

19

Temple (9-3)

Next Opponent: vs. Navy (Dec. 03)

The AAC title decider against Navy this weekend is going to be a ton of fun. Of course, if Temple can pull off the upset, it seems unlikely they will get a shot at a big name Power Five opponent during bowl season ... but there are a few other non-Fivers out there that could make for some interesting opponents.

20

Florida State (9-3)

Next Opponent: T.B.A.

Jimbo Fisher will probably hang on as the head coach at FSU next year. With DeShaun Watson headed to the draft, that bodes pretty well for the Seminoles. Unfortunately, Lamar Jackson isn't pro-bound quite yet, either. 

21

Virginia Tech (9-3)

Next Opponent: vs. Clemson (Dec. 03)

If the Hokies can knock off the Tigers this Saturday, it would send shockwaves throughout the college football landscape. While it may keep Clemson out of the playoffs, there's no chance in hell a "W" would propel Virginia Tech into the the four-team single-eliminator, however. And to think: some people say playing "spoiler" is a reward in its own right.

22

Air Force (9-3)

Next Opponent: vs. T.B.A.

While the Falcons upset win against Boise State isn't enough to get them into a championship contest, it does elevate the stature of the program quite a bit. Who knows - give the staff three or four years' time, and we might just have ourselves another Western Michigan on our hands here.

23

Florida (8-3)

Next Opponent: vs. Alabama (Dec. 03)

After getting their asses kicked by Florida State 31-13, the offense-averse Gators nonetheless find themselves challenging Alabama for the SEC crown. Yeah ... trying to figure out who's going to win this one is kinda' like guessing who's going to win a Harlem Globetrotters game.

24

Western Kentucky (9-3)

Next Opponent: vs. Louisiana Tech (Dec. 03)

And the Hilltoppers re-enter the Top 25 for the first time in what seems like a bajillion jillion years. And these motherfuckers are on a roll, too - they head into Saturday's Conference USA title game riding a six game winning streak.

25

Old Dominion (9-3)

Next Opponent: vs. T.B.A.

And making their first appearance in the rankings all year round, let's here it for the Old Dominion ... uh, what's their nickname again? Well, whatever it is, they're closing their 2016 season on a five game win streak, and they're reward for playing so good down the stretch? Oh, that's right, the greatest prize in all of Division I college football ... a slot in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl. God, I can almost smell the glory from here. 

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2015-16 NFL Power Rankings (Week 13)

Hopin' against hope...

By: Jimbo X
JimboXAmerican@gmail.com
@Jimbo__X

THE ELITES

01

Arizona Cardinals (10-2)

Season Point Differential: (+150)

With a 27-3 blowout of the Rams, the Cardinals climb their way back to the top of Power Rankings charts. With 356 yards and two touchdown passes, Carson Palmer continues to impress, as do standout receivers John Brown and Michael Floyd, who combined for 227 receiving yards in Sunday's stompin' of St. Louis. The Cards' D also shined in the contest; they allowed the Rams to rack up just 146 receiving yards and held their rushing attack to a paltry 66 yards. 

02

Cincinnati Bengals (10-2)

Season Point Differential: (+138)

The Bengals 37-3 beatdown of in-state arch rivals Cleveland was about as dominant a performance as we've seen from any team all season. Going 14 for 19, Andy Dalton wrapped up the contest with 220 yards and two touchdowns, as running back Jeremy Hill (98 yards, one TD) and receiver A.J. Green (128 yards, one TD) did their part to make fantasy football players happy. While Cincy did let Cleveland rack up a suspiciously high 230 yards in the air, none of those passes went anywhere near an end zone ... as the final score probably indicated. 

03

Carolina Panthers (12-0)

Season Point Differential: (+130)

In an homage to last year's Baylor/TCU shootout, the still-unbeaten Panthers decided to play "Tecmo Bowl" against the Saints, ultimately finishing a thriller 41-38. Pretty much ensuring he gets this year's MVP nod, Cam Newton collected FIVE touchdowns in his 331-yard day, which was buttressed with and additional 49 scrambling yards. Other offensive standouts included Jonathan Stewart (82 yards, one TD), Greg Olsen (129 yards on nine carries) and Ted Ginn, Jr. (80 yards and two TDs.)

04

New England Patriots

Season Point Differential: (+128)

Just how good can Tom Brady be without Edelman and Gronk? Apparently, not as good, judging from the Pats' unfathomable 35-28 loss to the Eagles on Sunday afternoon. Going three and two on the TD-to-INT ration, Tom Terrific concluded the contest with 312 yards on 29 completions (plus a rare scrmbling TD), with no-names James White (115 yards on 10 receptions), Dannt Amendola and Scott Chandler all reeling in TD passes. The run game, however, looked a bit sluggish, with the Pats accumulating just 103 yards and allowing Philly to collect 128. 

05

Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)

Season Point Differential: (+81)

The red hot Chiefs continue to roll, this time dropping 20 points on the Raiders in the fourth quarter for an improbably come from behind victory. Alex Smith had smaller stats than normal (162 yards passing, 23 yards rushing and three touchdowns overall), but the K.C. D came up in a big way late; they intercepted Derek Carr no less than three times, complete with a game sealing Tyvon Branch pick six in the final quarter. 

06

Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

Season Point Differential: (+76)

Like a Mac truck, the Seahawks took a long time to rev up, but now that their figurative engine is cranked, they are looking ALL shades of 2013 right now. In a 38-7 slaying of the Vikes, Russell Wilson went 21 for 27, with three touchdown passes, for 274 yards, plus another 51 yards rushing with a TD on the ground. The 'Hawks D absolutely dominated Minnesota; they limited A.P. to just 18 yards on eight carries, and factoring in yards lost to sacks, Terry Bridgewater wrapped up the affair with only 94 passing yards. 

07

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

Season Point Differential: (+71)

In a 45-10 rout of the Colts, Big Ben posted 364 yards and four touchdowns, as Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant combined for three touchdowns and 232 receiving yards. DeAngelo Williams finished the contest with 26 carries and 134 yards - a sum that eclipses Indy's total number of rushing attempts by eight and their total rushing output by 104 yards. 

08

Denver Broncos (10-2)

Season Point Differential: (+59)

Brock Osweiler is 3-0 as the Broncos' starting QB, leading Denver to a facile 17-3 win over the Chargers on Sunday evening. Brock finished the game with 166 yards, a one-to-one TD to INT ratio and 16 completions; the Broncos' run game, led by Ronnie Hillman with 19 rushes and 56 yards, outgalloped San Diego 134 yards to 93. 

THE PLAYOFF HOPEFULS

09

Green Bay Packers (8-4)

Season Point Differential: (+51)

Down 17-0 at halftime, the Packers engineered an unlikely comeback against the Lions last Thursday night, with Aaron Rodgers shocking Detroit with a game-winning Hail Mary pass to Richard Rodger (no relation, in case you were wondering) to give the Pack the "get outta' here" 27-23 victory. Combined, Rodgers the passer finished the contest with 273 yards and two touchdowns (plus a rare rushing score) while Rodgers the catcher wrapped up the affair with 146 yards on eight catches ... plus one of the most exciting touchdowns in recent pro football history. 

10

New York Jets (7-5)

Season Point Differential: (+47)

It took OT, but Ryan Fitzpatrick and company were able to hold off  the G-Men for a 23-20 victory over the weekend. In the Battle of New York (which was technically in New Jersey), the Fitz had 390 passing yards and two touchdowns, with receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker tag teaming for 232 yards and a score. Meanwhile, the Jets' D kept the Giants' run game grounded, holding their NFC rivals to just 74 rushing yards on 24 attempts. 

11

Atlanta Falcons (6-6)

Season Point Differential: (+22)

The Falcons dropped their fifth game in a row Sunday, with yet ANOTHER late pick by Matt Ryan allowing Atlanta's adversary to mount a come from behind victory. Matty Ice had 269 yards on the day, going one to one on TDs to INTs thrown, while the run game was limited to no scores just 64 yards on 18 carries. The run defense also looked pretty crappy in the 23-19 loss to the Bucs, as the Dirty Birds let Doug Martin and his supporting staff collect two touchdowns and 166 yards on the ground. 

12

Buffalo Bills (6-6)

Season Point Differential: (+18)

T-Mobile was tremendous in the Bill's 30-21 win over the surging Texans. Buffalo's pigskin-slinger finished the contest with three touchdowns and 211 yards on only 11 completions, hitting three different receivers - including yardage leader Sammy Watkins (109 on only three catches) - for scores. Buffalo also got 'er done on the ground, with LeSean McCoy rumbling for 112 yards on 21 touches. 

13

New York Giants (5-7)

Season Point Differential: (+11)

Eli's 297 passing yards wasn't enough to lift the Giants over the Jets this weekend. In a 23-20 overtime loss, New York (NFC) kept New York (AFC) limited to just 90 rushing yards, but they totally lost the air war, letting Fitzpatrick toss the rock for 390 yards. Even in defeat, however, I suppose the Giants can take some solace in another outstanding game from Odell Beckham, Jr. - the hyper-talented wideout finished the game with 149 yards and a touchdown on only six receptions. 

14

Minnesota Vikings (8-4)

Season Point Differential: (+6)

Yowzers, the Vikes got their asses handed to them by the Seahawks on Sunday. In a crushing 38-7 loss, the boys in Purple produced one score - a special teams sprint from Cordarrelle Patterson - while the running and receiving units finished the game with a combined 149 yards. Adrian Peterson was completely neutralized by the Temple of Boom; he concluded the contest with no touchdowns and an amazingly low 18 yards on eight rushes. 

15

Houston Texans (6-6)

Season Point Differential: (-11)

Brian Hoyer – 293 yards, three touchdowns and an INT – had a good day, but his offensive heroics weren’t enough in the Texans’ 30-21 loss to Buffalo. Receivers Cecil Shorts and DeAndre Hopkins finished the game with 179 combined yards and a TD, while Houston’s rushing attack accumulated 126 yards (but no end zone visits) on 26 carries.

16

Baltimore Ravens (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-19)

Sure, Baltimore may be way out of playoff contention at this point, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play spoiler a time or two and increase their stock for next season. Of course, to do so, the original recipe Browns are going to have to put in a more inspired performance than they did in their 17-15 loss to the Dolphins last Sunday. Matt Schaub’s 308 yard day may have been three and a half times Ryan Tannehill’s output, but you know what Ryan Tannehill didn’t do, either? Lob two interceptions, including a signature Schaub pick six.

THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK

17

Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

Season Point Differential: (-24)

In what has to be the upset of the year, the Eagles stunned the Pats 35-28 over the weekend. Although Sam Bradford only posted 120 yards, 12 out of his 14 completions resulted in sprints to the endzone. The rushing game didn't produce any scores, but it kept the ball rolling with some special teams heroics from Darren Sproles and ESPECIALLY a 99-yard INT return for Malcolm Jenkins helping Philly close the gap. 

18

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

Season Point Differential: (-27)

Jameis Winston had 18 completions for 227 yards in the Bucs' 23-19 win over the Falcons. Going one and one on touchdowns to interceptions thrown, he also posted another 15 yards scrambling with an additional score on the ground. With 95 yards and a solo TD on 25 touches, not only did have Doug Martin have more scores and yards than the Falcons run game, he even had more carries. 

19

Washington Redskins (5-7)

Season Point Differential: (-29)

Kirk Cousins’ 219 yard day wasn’t enough to help the Redskins overcome a 19-16 Dallas win on Monday. DeSean Jackson (80 yards on six catches) hauled in the only TD for Washington, with a Dustin Hopkins missed field goal being the game’s deciding factor. The Skins are still in pole position in a rotten NFC East, but with games against Chicago, Buffalo and Philly – not to mention a repeat showdown against Dallas in Week 17 – their good fortune can reserve itself in a hurry. 

20

Oakland Raiders (5-7)

Season Point Differential: (-30)

The Raiders had a 20-14 lead against the Chiefs heading into the fourth quarter Sunday, and then, they imploded. K.C. would go on to score 20 unanswered points en route to a 34-20 win; Derek Carr had one of his worst showings of the season, plunking three costly interceptions - including a game-closing pick-six - even though he did outthrow Alex Smith, 283 yards to 162. 

21

Chicago Bears (5-7)

Season Point Differential: (-39)

Jay Cutler has had better days than Chicago’s 26-20 loss to the Niners Sunday. He had 202 yards and an interception, ultimately going 18 for 31 with no touchdowns. The run game – led by Matt Forte, who wrapped up the contest with 84 yards and a TD – was slightly more impressive, but the defense just phoned it in. I mean, seriously, what kind of front seven problems are you having when THE BLAINE GABBERT is able to chalk up 75 yards scrambling?

22

Indianapolis Colts (6-6)

Season Point Differential: (-46)

Matt Hasselbeck looked pretty lackluster in the Colts' 45-10 loss to the Steelers on Sunday night. Completing just 16 passes, his final tally was 169 yards, one TD and two INTs. No running back or receiver for the Colts had more than 45 yards, while Indianapolis' D let the Steelers drop 522 total offensive yards on them. 

23

Tennessee Titans (3-9)

Season Point Differential: (-51)

Marcus Mariota went 20 for 29 in the Titans’ 42-39 win over divisional foes Jacksonville, concluding the contest with 268 yards, three touchdowns and a solo INT. Moreover, Mariota outran the entire Jacksonville offense, producing 112 yards and a touchdown on nine carries when Jags rushers combined only mustered 81 yards on 21 attempts.

24

Dallas Cowboys (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-54)

No Romo? No problem! Matt Cassel managed to finally win one with the ‘Boys, as he led the Silver and Blue to a 19-16 Monday night victory over arch rivals Washington. Although Cassel had 222 yards, the only end zone excursion for Dallas came in the form of a Darren McFadden  scramble – all other Cowboys points were the result of Dan Bailey field goals and uno extra point kick.

ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE DRAFT

25

Miami Dolphins (5-7)

Season Point Differential: (-60)

The Dolphins decided to give their offense the day off against the Ravens, as Miami QB Ryan Tannehill made just nine completions for 86 yards and a solo TD strike. The Fins looked good on both sides of the run game; they managed to accumulate 137 yards on the ground while limiting Baltimore to only 94 rushing yards.

26

Detroit Lions (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-62)

Whatever unrealistic playoff dreams Detroit had heading into Week 13 officially went out the window when Aaron Rodgers lobbed a 61-yarder to Richard Rodgers as time expired on Thursday night. Falling to 4-8 after the heartbreaking 27-23 loss, the Lions will now spend the remainder of their 2015 campaign struggling to break even ... which, really, has pretty much been the case for the Lions since the AFL merger. 

27

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-66)

Well, Blake Bortles had a heck of a game against the Titans. However, despite his 322 yard, FIVE TOUCHDOWN performance, it wasn’t enough to put the Jags over the top, as they ultimately succumbed 42-39 in a high scoring affair that, effectively meant nothing. Having Allen Robinson on your fantasy team must have felt pretty great though; he had three touchdowns and 153 yards on only ten touches.

28

St. Louis Rams (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-68)

The Rams just imploded against Arizona over the weekend, barely producing 200 yards of total offense in a feeble 27-3 loss. Nick Foles completed 15 passes for 146 yards and an INT, while the Rams running back committee posted a lackluster 66 yards on the day. Oh, and their defense didn't do diddly, as they let the Cardinals outpass them for 349 yards and an additional 175 rushing. 

29

San Diego Chargers (3-9)

Season Point Differential: (-77)

Philip Rivers' 202 passing yards (just 179, if you factor in the four times he got sacked) had little bearing on the outcome of Sunday's contest against Denver. In a 17-3 loss, the Chargers failed to visit the end zone once, with no running backs or receivers surpassing the 55-yard mark. Oh, and they fumbled the ball no less than four times, producing two costly turnovers. 

30

New Orleans Saints (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-81)

In the best game of "NFL Blitz" seen since the heyday of the Sega Dreamcast, the Saints came *this close* to ending the Panthers unbeaten streak. Alas, some late theatrics from Cam Newton and Co. clinched a 41-38 victory. At least New Orleans got you some fantasy points: Drew Brees finished the game with 282 yards and three TD passes while Mark Ingram, Brandin Cooks, Brandon Coleman and Benjamin Watson all collected at least one score in the contest. 

31

San Francisco 49ers (4-8)

Season Point Differential: (-113)

Let's hear it for THE BLAINE GABBERT, everybody! San Fran's new leading man had 196 yards and a TD pass on 18 completions, and not once did he lob the rock into the open arms of any Bears' defenders in the Niners' 26-20 upset win. Even more impressive? The Notorious B.L.A.I.N.E. also had 75 rushing yards ... and with it, yet another score on the go.

32

Cleveland Browns (2-10)

Season Point Differential: (-131)

Woo boy, the Browns got their asses kicked on Sunday. In a demoralizing 37-3 loss to Cincinnati, third string QB Austin Davis had 230 yards, an INT and no touchdowns while the run game sputtered out, producing just 68 yards on 19 rushing attempts. And as you'd imagine from a team that lost by 34 points, the defense played - to put it mildly - utterly shit-tastic.

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