Three Divisions, Two Battling Teams Each, One Wild Sunday
The first Sunday of December featured three important divisional battles for first place
Week 14 of the NFL season officially brought the sport to the month of December. December is the final month of the calendar year, and once upon a time, December ended the NFL season. In the last five or six decades, December serves as that pivotal month that ends the regular season, similar to March and April in the NBA and NHL, and September in MLB. December is where the most important games are played, and regarding Week 14, there were three that stood out the most.
Because of that, Week 14 will feature a split recap, and it won't be the last one during this home stretch. Three divisions saw its top two teams battling it out for first place, and they are as follows:
On the Prowl (AFC South: Colts @ Jaguars)
Another common thread these division games had: these were the first meetings of the season. The Indianapolis Colts' fade saw them go from #1 in the conference to being in a tie for first in the division with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and here they were meeting for the first time this season. Even worse for Indy, because their stadium hosted this year's Big 10 Championship a day prior, Part I of this season series is in Jacksonville... where the Colts go to be gelded. Even worse, Daniel Jones, their surprise stud at QB. Injured early, didn't return.
Jags didn't have to do much of anything, but they absolutely mauled the Colts. Jonathan Taylor and Travis Etienne Jr. each had 74 yards. That's damning for Indy because Taylor's not only a MVP candidate, he's been the only thing keeping Indy afloat, yet he was technically out-dueled by his counterpart in Etienne. Same amount of yards, but Etienne had two scores while Taylor had the one. Trevor Lawrence also threw for two scores. A 36-19 win for the Jaguars, who now take sole possession of first place in the AFC South.
The rematch in Indy will take place on the final Sunday of the calendar year, during Week 17. Outside of this, the Jags face the Jets next week, and will be off to Denver in Week 16, and will end the regular season at home against the Titans. As for Indy, it's tough. They have to go to Seattle next week, and host the Niners in Week 16, and their regular season ends in Houston against a Texans team who is now ahead of them in the standings. More on the Texans in the overall recap coming up. Jacksonville can win the AFC South as early as Week 16.
One Stood Tall (AFC North: Steelers @ Ravens)
I never thought the AFC North would be the trainwreck division this year. Two years ago, every team in that division had a winning record. The last place Bengals finished 9-8. Now? 9-8 may win the division this year. The Pittsburgh Steelers lost five of their last seven games entering this, and the Baltimore Ravens' winning streak ending on Thanksgiving resulted in the two teams being tied for first place... at 6-6. This is why I love bad divisions, because it's do or die. Both teams needed a win badly. Win and take the lead. A loss puts you in deep trouble. Part of me almost expected a tie in this game; imagine 6-6-1 leading a division.
Steelers scored the first TD of the game, and guess who scored it? Aaron Rodgers. He turned 42 less than a week prior, and he ran one in. Wow! Steelers dominated in the first half, but the Ravens tried to get back in it during the 2nd half. This included what was believed to be Isaiah Likely's second touchdown pass, but it was ruled incomplete--barely. Ravens couldn't get close, as Lamar was taken down in the final seconds.
The Steelers won, 27-22, and took the AFC North lead at 7-6. Certain idiots who wanted Mike Tomlin fired now owe him an apology right now. Tomlin's the only one keeping this team from sinking any lower, and now the team is leading the division. The rematch will take place on the final week of the season during the first weekend of 2026 in Pittsburgh. Regarding the Steelers, they'll host the Dolphins next week (MNF), and will head to Detroit (Week 16) and Cleveland (Week 17) after that. As for the Ravens, they're screwed. Three of their final four games are on the road, starting with a trip to Cincy next week. Their one home game comes during Week 16, but it's against the Patriots, and after that, they head to Lambeau before going to Pittsburgh. Oh boy. So yeah, Baltimore loses back-to-back home division games, and they have a nightmare schedule coming up. Yikes.
Told Ya So (NFC North: Bears @ Packers)
On what planet are the Chicago Bears actually a threat? Someone answer that question for me. All I heard for weeks is "The Bears are good," "Bears are winning the division," "Bears will beat Green Bay on Sunday." In Lambeau?! Seriously? Everyone was so damned certain that the Bears would win it. Certainties are few, but there are three in life: death, taxes, and the Bears losing in Lambeau.
No score after on quarter, but at the half, the Packers were up 14-3 after two Jordan Love touchdown bombs to Christian Watson and Bo Melton. Bears got an eight point TD (touchdown and two-pointer) to make it a three point game, but Love and Watson connected again. 21-11 lead for the Packers, but Chicago got a field goal late in the 3rd, and found the end zone in the fourth. Tie game, but Josh Jacobs came through with just over three minutes left! 28-21, and the Bears' drive ended in the usual fashion: with an interception!
The Packers won it, 28-21, and all is right with the world. We are back in first place at 9-3-1; winning four straight games while snapping Chicago's farce of a winning streak. We won't have to wait long or a rematch, it'll be the second half of a Saturday doubleheader on Week 16. Before we head to Chicago, we will be in Denver next week, and following the rematch, we will host the Ravens before ending our regular season in Minnesota. As for the Bears, they'll host Cleveland before the rematch, after that, they'll head to Santa Clara before hosting the Lions to end the regular season.
* * *
Three pivotal division games ending with the Steelers, Jaguars, and Packers each leading their divisions outright. Of the three, the Steelers were the road team who won, the Jags' hot streak continued, the Colts continued to decline, and the Ravens took a nosedive in the AFC standings. Bears/Packers was the only one to end with both teams still above the playoff line, though the Bears went from #1 to #7, while the Packers rose to #2. All three games were very thrilling in their own right, and the playoff picture became much more intriguing with the result of those three games.
About the Creator
Clyde E. Dawkins
I'm a big sports fan, especially hockey, and I've been a fan of villainesses since I was eight! My favorite shows are The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc.
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