Andrew Mazza: Grade 8

During week twelve in the National Football League (NFL), there was one major match-up most New Yorkers and people from Washington, D.C., were talking about on Sunday and Monday. The Giants played in Washington and were grilled! In the first half, Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and his defense allowed 17 points. Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning was thirsty for a comeback, and he abused cornerback Bashaud Breeland and his miss-match with Odell Beckham, Jr. late in the game. Even though he made an amazing one-handed catch, Beckham, Jr. was not able to make a comeback. The final score was 20-14.

The New York Jets met AFC East rivals the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium and kept their playoff hopes alive with a 38-20 blowout. The Jets were able to keep the Dolphins to zero points in the first half, but the Jets’ defense couldn’t hold onto a perfect game.

The Denver Broncos galloped all over Rob Gronkowski and the New England Patriots. The Patriots couldn’t keep their perfect record, and so the Carolina Panthers became the only team remaining in the run for a perfect record. The game ended in overtime, after the former Patriots punt returner fumbled the ball, which was later returned by the offense to tie the game and win. Back-up quarterback Brock Osweiler is surprisingly able to keep the Broncos alive while starter Peyton Manning stays on the bench. Good luck to all the teams!