There is never a good way to get knocked out. However, some are more brutal than others. The Carolina Panthers provided one of those painful exits in Week 13. Against weak Washington, Ron Rivera’s now-former team rolled to a 14-0 lead and then allowed 29 straight points. Doomed, right? No, Carolina had to inflict more pain. It scored a TD to draw within eight points and somehow recovered a squib kick before driving to a first-and-goal at the 1. A score and two-point conversion and the miracle tie forced OT. Only Kyle Allen and his offense couldn’t crack the goal line and, poof, you were counted out.
Don’t think about it
The inconsistent Dallas Cowboys face the Chicago Bears on Thursday. How many shots of Jerry Jones will the broadcast offer? This is one to run from as far as possible. You are seriously going to consider the Colts or Buccaneers? It is easier to predict the weather than how each of these teams will play. The Niners visit the Saints as the rough stretch of their schedule continues. This is big for both when it comes to playoff seeding. A perfect game to sit back, watch and enjoy. Same goes with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs against the Patriots. Anything can happen in this one. The Chargers find ways to lose every week and the Jaguars are going nowhere. Boring game and it should not attract knockout-pool interest. The Panthers play the Falcons in Atlanta. Yuck.