NFL 2014 Week 5 Recap
The Oakland Raiders had the week off, giving them a chance to forget the Dennis Allen era and count down the minutes until Tony Sparano is replaced by Jon Gruden. Most of the rest of the league did what the Raiders failed to do during the Dennis Allen, play professional football. With everybody wearing pink to honor breast cancer awareness month, the NFL gave fans some fantastic finishes that would have made the people at Alcoa proud. Here is the NFL 2014 Week 5 Recap
http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-5-lessons-learned-and-not-learned-27371/
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers was the Thursday night game. Eddie Lacy broke off runs of 18 and 29 yard and Aaron Rodgers threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb to make it 7-0 Packers. Late in the first quarter Rodgers went deep to Jordy Nelson for a 66 yard touchdown and a 14-0 Packers lead. In the second quarter Christian Ponder was intercepted by Julius Peppers who raced 49 yards for a 21-0 Packers lead as the route was on. Another Ponder interception set up the Packers at the Vikings 20. Rodgers hit Adams for the 11 yard score and there 28-0 Packers lead.
In the third quarter Lacy broke off 11 and 10 yard touchdown runs to make it 42-0 Packers. This game told the world what we already knew. Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the game and Ponder is one of the worst. Ponder did lead a furious rally with the Vikings that fell just short by 32 points. Not having your star running back and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on the road means having no chance. 42-10 Packers
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers — A 79 yard punt return for a touchdown by Brown had the Panthers up 7-0 early. After an interception of Jay Cutler, Carolina soon fumbled it right back to set up Chicago at the Carolina 28. Cutler hit Matt Forte for the 10 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. It was deja vu all over again as on the next series it was Newton who fumbled, giving Chicago the ball at the Carolina 13. On 3rd and 7 Cutler scrambled for the 10 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Bears.
In the second quarter the Bears got it back and Cutler threw a 25 yard touchdown to Jeffery to make it 21-7 Bears. Newton moved the Panthers 75 yards and threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen with only 12 seconds left in the half to get the Panthers within 21-14. In the third quarter the Panthers moved 86 yards in 10 plays as Ogbannaya got in from the one to tie things 21-21. Robbie Gould then hit a 45 yard field goal to give the Bears the lead. With 6 minutes left in regulation Cutler was intercepted, giving Carolina gift field position at the Chicago 32. Newton threw incomplete on 3rd and 4 but Graham Gano hit from 44 to make it 24-24 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the game.
Chicago took over after a touchback and Forte immediately fumbled the ball away, giving Carolina gift field position at the Chicago 23. On 3rd and goal from the 6, Newton hit Olsen for the score to give Carolina the lead with 2 1/2 minutes to play. On 4th and 21 from the Chicago 34, Cutler was good for one more turnover as he was sacked and fumbled. Chicago gave this game away, and an underachieving Carolina team was gracious enough to accept the win. 31-24 Panthers.
Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans — Jake Locker came back from injury determined to prove he is not Christian Ponder or Blaine Gabbert. An 11 yard touchdown pass to Wright made it 7-0 Titans. In the second quarter Locker led the Titans 80 yards, running the final 11 himself to make it 14-0 Titans. Billy Cundiff hit a 38 yard field goal to finally get the Browns on the board down 14-3. Locker moved the Titans from their 20 to a 3rd and 7 at the Cleveland 21. Locker threw incomplete, but roughing the passer meant an automatic first down. However, once again Locker went out injured. Charlie Whitehurst went in and threw the 11 yard touchdown to Wright. The Titans led 21-3, but once again Locker showed he could not stay healthy. The Titans struck again when Whitehurst hooked up with Hunter for a 75 yard touchdown to make it 28-3 Titans.
While the Titans backup kept the trains rolling, Cleveland backup Johnny Clipboard stayed on the sideline. Bryan Hoyer moved the Browns 90 yards as a one yard touchdown pass to Dray had the Browns down 28-10 at halftime. A 42 yard Billy Cundiff field goal in the third quarter got the Browns within 28-13. With 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Browns blocked a punt for a safety to get within 28-15. The Browns took the free kick and moved 67 yards in 10 plays. A 17 yard touchdown pass to Benjamin had the Browns within 28-22 midway through the fourth quarter.
Tennessee took over at their 22 and faced a critical 4th and 1 at their own 42. Ken Whisenhunt took a major gamble and went for it rather than punt. He will be second-guessed for years to come and derided as the next Barry Switzer, but he was trying to give his team a spark. Whitehurst went for the quarterback sneak and hit a brick wall, giving Cleveland the short field. Hoyer hit Benjamin for the 6 yard touchdown with 1:10 to play. 26 unanswered points gave the Browns the one point lead. After a touchback, Whitehurst got the Titans to their 43 before he was sacked. With 10 seconds left on 3rd and 16, White Hurst completed a pass but the receiver could not get out of bounds. Bryan Hoyer has the 2014 version of the Cardiac Kids making Brian Sipe fans proud and keeping Johnny Clipboard on the sideline. As for Locker, he seems to be made of paper. 29-28 Browns
St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles are known for their high octane offense but it was special teams that got Philadelphia on the board after only 23 seconds. A blocked punt was returned 10 yards for a touchdown by Chris Maragos for the 7-0 Eagles lead, the second straight week the Eagles scored that way. The Eagles got it back and moved into position for 26 and 27 yard Parkey field goals and a 13-0 lead. Austin Davis moved the Rams 84 yards in 11 plays over 6 1/2 minutes as an 8 yard touchdown to Quick got the Rams within 13-7. Nick Foles moved the Eagles 80 yards as a 9 yard touchdown to Riley Cooper with 30 seconds left in the half had the Eagles up 20-7.
The third quarter saw the Rams at their own 11, Davis was sacked and fumbled, and Thornton picked it up for another Eagles touchdown and a 27-7 lead. Foles would throw a 24 yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin as the Eagles cruised 34-7 late in the third quarter. These Eagles never make anything easy.
Cunningham ran for a 14 yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter as the Rams trailed 34-14. The Eagles soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 48. Foles ran for 14 yards but then fumbled, giving the Rams the ball at their own 38. Austin Davis threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt to get the Rams within 34-21 with 9 minutes left in regulation. The Rams got it back at their own 25 and 75 yards came quickly. Davis hit Quick for a 5 yard touchdown with 4:40 to play as the Rams were within six points. The Eagles punted again and the Rams were pinned at their own 7 with 1:47 to play. Davis found Quick for a 43 yard gain to midfield, but after that incompletions doomed the Rams as Philadelphia hung on. 34-28 Eagles
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants — Eli Manning moved the Giants 83 yards and 11 plays in 5 minutes as a 3 yard touchdown pass to Reuben Randle made it 7-0 Giants. The Falcons came back 80 yards as a 10 yard Stephen Jackson run tied the game 7-7. The Giants fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Falcons recovered at the Giants 21. Big Blue held on defense at the 3 as the Falcons settled for a 20 yard Matt Bryant field goal and a 10-7 lead. Josh Brown hit a 49 yarder with 3:40 left in the half to tie it 10-10. Matt Ryan moved the Falcons to a 2nd and goal at the 2 with 15 seconds left in the half Matty Ice then went Ice Cold as a pair of incompletions meant a 20 yard Bryant field goal and a 13-10 Falcons halftime lead.
In the third quarter the Flacons struck quickly as Ryan went to Smith for a 74 yard touchdown and a 20-10 Falcons lead. The Giants moved 80 yards and Williams got the last 3 to get the Giants within 20-17. The Giants got it back in the fourth quarter and moved 81 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 15 with 10 minutes left in regulation, Manning hit O’Dell Beckham for the touchdown to make it 24-20 Giants.
After a 28 yard Atlanta punt, the Giants took over at their own 45. Josh Brown hit a 50 yard field goal to make it 27-20 Giants with 5 minutes left. Atlanta soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 29 with 4:40 to play. Mike Smith decided to go for it and Ryan was sacked back at the Atlanta 19. Brown hit a 26 yard field goal just before the 2 minute warning to lock up the win. The Giants keep gutting out wins for Tom Coughlin while the Falcons keep struggling on the road. 30-20 Giants
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints — A field position game and the Saints starting at their own 40, and the Saints twice moved into the red zone. Twice Drew Brees threw incomplete and Shane Graham hit the 30 and 29 yarders to make it 6-0 Saints. In the second quarter the Saints got in the end zone as a 15 yard touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas put New Orleans up 13-0. With 2 minutes left in the half the Buccaneers finally got on the board when Murray drilled a 55 yard field goal. Brees was then intercepted, Setting up the Bucs at the Saints 40 with 1:20 left in the half. On 3rd and 7 from the 20, Mike Glennon went deep to Louis Murphy for the score as the Buccaneers only trailed 13-10 at halftime.
In the third quarter the Bucs moved 80 yards as a 9 yard run by Brad Rainey had the Buccaneers with the shocking 17-13 lead over the Saints. The home crowd became even more shocked when Brees was intercepted by Lansanah, who returned it 33 yards for another Buccaneers touchdown and a 24-13 Buccaneers lead. The Saints finally woke up as Brees moved them 63 yards in 12 plays with a 5 yard touchdown to Cadet getting the Saints within 24-20 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Glennon then moved the Buccaneer s81 yards in 10 plays and 6 1/ minutes, with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Herron making it 31-20 Buccaneers early in the fourth quarter.
The Saints fought back as Pierre Thomas raced around the end for a 27 yard touchdown with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The 2 point conversion failed, but the Saints would soon get their deuce anyway. Glennon fumbled, forcing the Bucs to face 3rd and 29 form their own one. Glennon went back to pass and was sacked for a safety. The Saints were within 31-28 with 6 1/2 minutes left as they awaited the free kick.
A short kick had the Saints starting at their own 40 Shane Graham hit a 44 yarder to tie the game 31-31 with 2 1/2 minutes left to play. The Bucs punted, and with 24 seconds left the Saints had 3rd and 10 at the Tampa 49. Rather than set up the field goal, Brees went for it all deep and was intercepted.
In overtime the Saints got the ball at their own 20. Brees hit Marquis Colston for 21 yards. On 3rd and 10 Brees threw incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. On 3rd and 9 from the Tampa 42, Brees hit Watson for 11. From the Tampa 31, Robinson did the rest, running for 5, 6, 2 and the 18 yard touchdown to end the game. Brees was 35 of 57 for 371 yards and 2 touchdowns with the 3 interceptions as the Saints got to 2-3 and saved their season. The Bucs are much improved under Mike Glennon, but bad teams find a way to lose. In 2002 the Bucs lost to the Saints in overtime but went on to give Tampa Bay it’s only Super Bowl trophy. Not this year. 37-31 Saints, OT
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys — The very first game in Texans history in 2002 saw them beat the Cowboys 19-10 behind David Carr. 12 years later these teams both looked like expansion teams early on. Ryan Fitzpatrick had the Texans moving before completing a pass to Orlando Scandrick, who plays defense for the Cowboys. Dallas moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Houston 12 until DeMarco Murray coughed up the football. In the second quarter it was the Cowboys fumbling a punt that led to the Texans failing to capitalize. With 11 seconds left in the half Dan Bailey hit a 33 yard field goal as the Cowboys led 3-0 in a hideous game.
In the third quarter the Texas moved 71 yards and Arriun Foster ran for a 15 yard touchdown as the Texans led 7-3. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter Dallas finally struck in a big way as Tony Romo went deep to Williams for a 43 yard touchdown and a 10-7 Cowboys lead. Dallas was driving again at the start of the fourth quarter when Romo was intercepted at the goal line. Houston went 3 and out a 38 yard punt return with 15 more tacked on for a personal foul had the Cowboys starting at the Texans 30. Romo hit Dez Bryant for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Cowboys with less than 10 minutes to play.
Houston moved 76 yards in 13 plays, but needed 7 1/2 minutes to do it. Fitzpatrick converted on 4th and 2 from the Dallas 31, but threw incomplete on 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 11. With 2 1/2 minutes left, Bill O’Brien opted for the field goal. Bullock hit the 29 yarder to get the Texans within 17-10. Dallas went backward and the Texans got it back at the 2 minute warning at the Dallas 45. Two completions by Fitzpatrick quickly moved the ball to the Dallas 6 . Arriun Foster took it in and the game was tied with 40 seconds to play. Romo moved the Cowboys in position to win it, but Bailey’s kick from 53 at the gun was wide no good.
The Texans got the ball to start overtime after a touchback and 2 plays later were at midfield facing 2nd and 4. Yet Fitzpatrick threw incomplete on 3rd and 2 and Houston punted. Dallas took over at their own 10. On 3rd and 1 from the 19, Murray gained 11. On 3rd and 8 from the 32, Romo went deep to Bryant, who made an acrobatic juggling catch with a man in his face for a 37 yard gain. On 3rd and 10 from the Houston 31, Jason Garrett brought in Bailey for a 49 yard field goal rather than try to gain more yards. The decision was questionable but Bailey delivered. This would not be the week that Jerry Jones fires everyone and blows up Texas Stadium for the insurance money. One day after Yom Kippur, Adolf Hitler was smiling as his beloved Romo got America’s and the Fuhrer’s team the win. 20-17 Cowboys, OT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzYsiNZgZ7M
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions — As the first quarter was ending Matthew Stafford threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate for a 7-0 Lions lead. EJ Manuel was benched before this game in favor of underrated veteran Kyle Orton. In this game Orton was intercepted by Mathis, who returned it 41 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 Lions lead. Buffalo would reach a 3rd and 3 at the Detroit 17, but Orton fumbled the snap for a 10 yard loss. Dan Carpenter hit the 45 yard field goal to get the Bills on the board trailing 14-3. Late in the third quarter Buffalo faced 4th and 1 at the Detroit 7 after Fred Jackson only got half on 3rd and 2. Doug Marrone played it safe on the road and Carpenter’s 25 yarder got the Bills within 14-6.
Orton moved the Bills 74 yards in 10 plays as a 2 yard touchdown pass to Gragg and a 2 point conversion by Fred Jackson tied the game 14-14 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. A defensive slugfest saw the Lions take over at their own 11 with one minute left. A completion to Tate went for 55 yards. With 26 seconds left, Alex Henery came in for the 50 yard field goal to win it. The kick was wide, no good. With 21 seconds left, Buffalo took over at their own 40. Orton found Sammy Watkins for 20 yards. With 9 seconds left, on second down, Doug Marrone brought Dan Carpenter in for a 58 yard field goal try. Carpenter blasted the daylights out of the ball as the Bills got the stunning road win. Nobody wins ugly like Kyle Orton. The guy just wins. 17-14 Bills
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts — The Ravens defense channeled the ghosts of Ravens defenses past in stopping the Colts on 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 21. Yet one play later last week’e hero Steve Smith fumbled the ball right back. Adam Vinatieri hit the 38 yarder to make it 3-0 Colts. In the second quarter the Ravens moved from their own 4 all the way to 3rd and 1 at the Colts 3. When a run failed to get the first down, John Harbaugh decided to go for it on 4th and 1. Joe Flacco was sacked for an 11 yard loss. The Colts then moved 70 yards in a staggering 20 plays that consumed 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. After going from their own 14 to the Ravens 6, a touchdown pass was nullified by a holding penalty. Vinatieri hit from 34 t make it 6-0 Colts with 35 seconds left in the half. That was enough time for Justin Tucker to hit from 52 as the Ravens trailed 6-3 at the break.
In the third quarter Flacco was intercepted, setting up the Colts at the Baltimore 33. On 3rd and goal from the 6, this time Luck threw the touchdown pass to Allen for a 13-3 Colts lead. The fourth quarter began with the Colts fumbling a punt, setting up the Ravens at the Baltimore 12. The Ravens went nowhere and settled for a 27 yard Tucker field goal to trail 13-6. Luck moved the Colts 80 yards and scrambled for the final 13 himself to make it 20-6 Colts with 9 minutes to play. The Ravens came right back 80 yards, aided by a defensive pass interference call for 25 and a Flacco completion to Jones for 30 more. Justin Forestt got the final 11 yards as the Ravens were back within seven midway through the fourth quarter.
Luck led the Colts on a drive that reached the Ravens 8 yard line at the 2 minute warning. Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled, giving the Ravens one last chance at their own 11 with 1:49 left. A sack of Flacco moved the Ravens back to their own 3. On 4th and 3 from the 18 Flacco hit Owen Daniels for 18. With 32 seconds left, on 4th and 3 from the Baltimore 43, Flacco went deep incomplete. It was hideous, but the Colts got the win. 20-13 Colts.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars — Jacksonville ran 15 plays and held the ball for over 8 minutes, yet somehow only moved the ball 43 yards. A 43 yard Josh Scobee field goal put the Jaguars up 3-0. In the second quarter Shawn Suisham answered with a 24 yarder to tie the game 3-3 when the Steelers lost yards on 3rd and goal at the 4. At the 2 minute warning the Steelers faced 3rd and goal at the one. This time Ben Roethlisberger hit Palmer for the touchdown as the Steelers led 10-3. Blake Bortles quickly moved the Jaguars to 1st and 5 at the Pittsburgh 12 before several incompletions and a delay of game meant a 35 yard Scobee field goal and a 10-6 Jaguars deficit at halftime.
Scobee hit from 36 in the third quarter to get the Jaguars within 10-9. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Bortles blundered and reminded the fans of Blaine Gabbert. Bortles was intercepted by McCain, who returned it 22 yards for a score to give the Steelers an 8 point lead. Jacksonville had two more chances but could not move the ball. Pittsburgh with 4 minutes left pounded it on the ground and ran out the clock. 17-9 Steelers
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos — Drew Stanton has come out of nowhere to lead the Cardinals, but Peyton Manning brought the reality check. Stanton led the Cardinals to the Denver 9 but settled for a 33 yard Catanzaro field goal. 12 plays and 80 yards later, Manning found Julius Thomas for a 7 yard touchdown to put the Broncos up 7-3. Catanzaro hit a 48 yarder to get Arizona within 7-6.
In the second quarter 80 yards came quickly for Denver as Manning hit Denarius Thomas for a 31 yard score to make it 14-6 Broncos. Manning did throw a pair of second quarter interceptions, the second one giving the ball to Arizona at the Denver 5. Ellington ran it in to get the Cardinals within 14-13. Yet with 1:18 left in the half and Denver at their own 14, one Manning deep ball to Thomas meant an 86 yard touchdown and a 21-13 Broncos lead at the midpoint.
Kicker Matt Prater’s suspension was up but so was his time as the kicker of the Broncos. The guy who broke the record for longest field goal last year was replaced by rookie McManus. McManus hit a 44 yarder in the third quarter to make it 24-13 Broncos. Stanton was hurt in the third quarter. With Carson Palmer still injured, third string quarterback Logan Thomas got the nod. Thomas went deep to Ellington has one play and 13 seconds produced an 81 yard touchdown that got the Cardinals within 24-20. One minute into the fourth quarter, McManus hit a 41 yarder to make it 27-20 Broncos.
In the fourth quarter Manning turned out the lights, as an 80 yard drive ended with his fourth touchdown pass. The 12 yarder to Thomas made it 34-20 Broncos midway through the fourth quarter. A short punt meant a short field at the Arizona 46, and Manning made the Cardinals pay. Thompson ran 8 yards up the middle to complete the scoring. Manning finished a ridiculous 31 of 47 for 479 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
He became the second quarterback to throw for 500 touchdowns. Six more touchdowns and Manning will break Brett Favre’s record of 508 touchdown passes. 41-20 Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers — 20 years ago this game was a thriller as Steve Young lost to Joe Montana. Ever since then the Chiefs have taken in stray 49ers quarterbacks, although Steve Bono, Elvis Grbac and Alex Smith might be the same person. Smith led the Chiefs 81 yards in 12 playsand 6 1/2 minutes as a 2 yard touchdown pass to Kelce made it 7-0 Chiefs.
Phil Dawson hit a 31 yard field goal to get the 49ers within 7-3. In the second quarter Santos hit from 42 as a drive that consumed nearly 7 1/2 minutes meant only a field goal and a 10-3 Chiefs lead. Dawson responded by hitting from 55 to get the 49ers within 10-6. Colin Kaepernick is the first 49ers quarterback in awhile that does not dink and dunk. He led the 49ers 93 yards in 13 plays in over 6 1/2 minutes as a 9 yard touchdown pass to Johnson had the 49ers up 13-10 going into the locker rooms.
In the third quarter a 28 yard San Francisco punt set up the Chiefs at their own 42. Smith hit Thomas for a 17 yard touchdown to put the Chiefs up 17-13. Kaepernick brought the 49ers to the red zone, but the drive went backward. On 4th and 24, Dawson nailed his third field goal from 52 yards out as the 49ers trailed 17-16 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.
Kaepernick moved the 49ers 71 yards in 13 plays in 7 minutes. With 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the 49ers faced 4th and 1 at the Chiefs 27. Jim Harbaugh decided not to risk a timeout by challenging the spot of the ball. He trusted Dawson, who made his fourth field goal from 45 to put the 49ers back in front 19-17. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Chiefs faced 3rd and 1 at their own 32. The entire football world knows that pass happy Andy Reid will not bring in a wedge of beef to ram it up the gut. The expected West Coast Offense pass was batted down and the Chiefs punted.
The 49ers do have a battering ram, and a steady dose of Frank Gore led to a 4th and 2 at the Chiefs 36. Again Harbaugh trusted Dawson with a fifth field goal try from 54, but this time the Chiefs blundered badly. 12 men on the defense meant an automatic first down and more smash mouth football from Gore. With 2:12 to play, Dawson hit his fifth field goal from 30. The 49ers had the 5 point lead, but the Chiefs still had life. Smith had a chance to win it late but threw an interception. Dink, dunk, death. 22-17 49ers
New York Jets at San Diego Chargers — A tale of two quarterbacks had Philip Rivers throwing for 244 yards in the first half alone while Geno Smith had 27 yards passing. In the first quarter Rivers led an 11 play, 90 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive that culminated in an 8 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates. To start the second quarter, Rivers was intercepted but the Jets fumbled it right back on the next play at the Jets 20. On 3rd and goal from the 12, Rivers hit Gates for another touchdown. Rivers then led a 12 play, 91 yard drive that consumed nearly 7 minutes. Oliver ran it in from the 15 as the Chargers cruised to a 21-0 intermission lead.
Smith ended the first half with a Hail Mary interception and Michael Vick began the third quarter. Rivers again moved the Chargers 90 yards as a 9 yard touchdown pass to Oliver had the Chargers up 28-0.
Rivers may not be the league MVP as some think, but if the Jets do not get quarterback play soon, Rex Ryan will be a defensive coordinator next year along with his brother Rob rather than the Jets head coach. He may not even get that since his defense gave up three drives of 90 yards or more in one game. For those who loved field goals, the Chargers added one. 31-0 Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots was the Sunday night game. Those who stopped watching football in 2000 seemed to think that this was the game that would signal a changing of the guard. The Evil Empire of Football would finally be vanquished. Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick would lose control of the team, Tom Brady would be traded, and the Bengals would finally show they could get a quality road win and get to the next level. Those who have been watching football this century knew that would not happen.
Brady moved the Patriots 80 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. Shawn Ridley plunged in from one yard out to make it 7-0 Patriots. The Bengals did drive to the Patriots 34, but Mike Nugent missed a 52 yard field goal. Taking over at their own 42, New England soon faced 3rd and 8 at the Cincy 44. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for 27 yards and Wright for the 17 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Patriots.
In the second quarter Cincinnati reached a 3rd and 3 from the Patriots 6, but a run gained only one yard. Nugent hit from 23 to get the Bengals within 14-3. The Patriots answered with a 48 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to lead 17-3 with 1:13 left in the half. That was enough time for the Bengals to self-destruct. The kickoff was taken deep in the end zone and brought back to the 9. The first play from scrimmage was a 20 yard completion followed by a fumble that the Patriots recovered at the Cincinnati 25. Brady hit Gronkowski for 19 but with 12 seconds left in the half the Patriots faced 4th and goal at the one. The crowd did not like it, but Bellichick took the points as Gostkowski’s 19 yarder made it 20-3 Patriots at halftime.
A 47 yard punt return by Adam Pacman Jones in the third quarter had the Bengals starting at the Patriots 37. One play was all Red Rifle Andy Dalton needed to go deep to Mohammed Sanu for the touchdown to get the Bengals within 20-10. The Patriots responded by moving from their 14 to a 3rd and 16 at the Bengals 35. A perfectly executed draw play to Shane Vereen gained 19 yards. Brady then found Gronkowski for the 16 yard touchdown and a 27-10 Patriots lead. The roof then officially caved in on the Bengals when they fumbled the ensuing kickoff, allowing Arrington to pick up the fumble and return it 9 yards for another touchdown and a 34-10 Patriots mauling.
Dalton did throw a 17 yard touchdown pass to AJ Green to get the Bengals within 34-17, but by the start of the fourth quarter the Patriots were already facing 3rd and 3 at the Cincy 5. A pass to the end zone was dropped but Gostkowski’s third field goal from 23 yards out had the Patriots comfortably ahead 37-17. Midway through the fourth quarter Goskowski’s fourth field goal from 47 made it 40-17 Patriots. Gostkowski’s fifth field goal from 35 yards completed the blowout and served notice to the rest of the league. 43-17 Patriots
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins was the Monday night game. Seattle jumped on Washington from the start, as Russell Wilson threw a 15 yard touchdown pass to Kearse for a 7-0 Seahawks lead. In the second quarter Steve Hauschka hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 10-0. Wilson scrambled for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Seahawks.
Washington struck back quickly as Kirk Cousins went to DeSean Jackson for a 60 yard touchdown bomb to get the Redskins within 17-7. In the third quarter the Redskins moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Seattle 9. After Cousins failed to convert on the quarterback sneak, Jay Gruden opted for the field goal. Kai Forbath hit from 27.
With the Seahawks clinging to a 17-10 lead, Seattle faced fourth and one at the Washington 32 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Carroll called a fake field goal that worked and led to the clinching touchdown. Carroll has a brass pair and is another reminder that coaches at the NFL level should go big or go home. Coaching scared is surrender, and Carroll is fearless. Carroll’s move also shows that even as the defending champions, Carroll has avoided complacency. His bold gamble led to Wilson hitting Lynch for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 24-10 Seahawks.
Cousins brought the Redskins back, hitting Roberts with a 6 yard touchdown to get Washington within 24-17 with 3:40 to play. With 2 1/2 minutes left, Seattle faced 3rd and 4 at midfield. Rather than run the ball and force Washington to use their last timeout, Carroll again went bold and called a pass play. A short pass to Lynch gained 30 yards and set up a 43 yard Steve Hauschka field goal with 21 seconds left to ice the game. 27-17 Seahawks