Ravens, Patriots and Jets secure playoff berths
Dec 26th, 2010 by Bilal Ali
The Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots and the New York Jets all booked places in the playoffs after Sunday’s early NFL games.
The Ravens beat the Browns 20-10 in Cleveland to secure their third consecutive post-season appearance thanks to two touchdown passes from quarterback Joe Flacco and two interceptions from Ed Reed.
The bruising Ravens defense restricted Cleveland’s powerful running back Peyton Hillis to just 35 yards on 12 carries.
The Patriots won the AFC East after crushing the Buffalo Bills 34-3 to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with Tom Brady throwing three touchdowns.
Although the Jets lost a 38-34 shootout with the Chicago Bears, who had already secured a playoff berth, they got a reprieve when wildcard rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars lost 20-17 in overtime to the Washington Redskins.
Jay Cutler threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns for the Bears whose win was secured when Mark Sanchez threw a late pick.
“We aren’t going anywhere if we can’t play better defense than that, it is the bread and butter,” said Jets head coach Rex Ryan.
Jaguars quarterback David Garrard was hero and then villain as his 20-yard touchdown run tied the game at 17-17 before he threw an interception in overtime which the Redskins turned into a 31-yard game-winning field goal from Graham Gano.
The Jaguars now have only the slimmest chance of prolonging their season and need the Indianapolis Colts to lose their final two games.
The Kansas City Chiefs moved closer to the AFC West title after beating the Tennessee Titans 34-14 with quarterback Matt Cassell throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
The NFC West will go down to the wire after the St. Louis Rams beat divisional rivals San Francisco 49ers 25-17 meaning their final game of the season, at Seattle, will be a winner-takes-all affair.