With Thanksgiving only a few days away, I cannot wait to express how thankful I am to my lord and creator almighty God for the National Football League. With all due respect to atheists, I still do not believe mere mortals could have created or developed this thing.
Then again, I am not sure Paul Tagliabue was mere mortal anyway. Roger Goodell is filling the big shoes ably.
With that, below is the week 11 NFL Recap.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots was the Thursday night game. It is already an NFL Classic that should be replayed decades from now. With Matt Cassell passing for 400 yards on 30 of 51 passes with 3 touchdowns, and Brett Favre playing like he did in his prime with a pair of touchdowns on 26 of 33 passing, the defenses took the night off and let the offenses light it up.
On the opening drive, Favre led the Jets 62 yards in 10 plays in 5 1/2 minutes. A 7 yard touchdown pass to Leon Washington had Gang Green up 7-0. The Patriots moved the ball well in the first half but had their drives bog down. A field goal on their opening drive had them within 7-3. The Jets moved to the New England 5 yard line on their next drive, only to have an easy touchdown pass dropped. The field goal had them up 10-3 as the first quarter ended, but it would be a key play in the game. New England drive down the field again, but again had to settle for a field goal to pull to within 10-6. 12 seconds and 92 yards later, Leon Washington had the kickoff return that had the Jets up 17-6.
After a New England punt, Favre and Jerricho Cothcery put ona clinic. Favre found Cotchery for 16 yards, before hitting him ona 46 yard gain. That set up Favre’s 18 yard touchdown pass to Cotchery. The Jets led 24-6. The changing of the guard had taken place.
No, it did not. Champions do not go down easy, and even with Brett Favre, the Jets need to learn how to finish games. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Patriots had 4th and 3 at the New York 23. Cassel was sacked for a 7 yard loss, and that should have ended things. Yet the Jets could not run out the clock, and the Patriots were given 1:44 to try again. Cassel made them pay, as a 3rd and 10 from the 19 pass to Jabar Gaffney cut the lead to 24-13 just seconds before the half.
In the 3rd quarter the Patriots tried to lose the game, and the Jets would not accept their generosity. Again, young teams do not finish games, especially when champions are involved. The Patriots fumbled, and the Jets just punted 3 plays later. Then operating out of the shotgun, the bvall was snapped past an unprepared Cassel, resulting in a 23 yard loss. The Jets on their next drive decided to throw on 3rd and 2 despite the fact that Thomas Jones was running very well. One incomplete pass later, and the Jets punted. Yet the Patriots also decided to thrown on 3rd and 1, and their incomplete pass led to a punt. The Jets then on 3rd and 2 tried to pass again, found nobody, and ran for 1 yard followed by a punt. Both of these teams have running backs, and might think about using them.
With 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, Cassel finally got the Patriots going. From their own 22, passes to Welker for 8 and 29 yards had New England at the New York 41. Passes to Gaffney for 14 yards and Moss for 8 yards had the Patriots with 2nd and 2 at the Jets 10. Cassel hit Watson for the touchdown and Gaffney for the 2 point conversion to pull the Patriots to within 24-21 on the last play of the 3rd quarter.
A Cotchery fumble had New England starting at their own 40, which led to a field goal. 10 minutes remained in the game, and the 24-6 Jets lead was now a 24-24 tie. The Jets had collapsed, as people in New York began lamenting about the same old Jets. Yet past teams did not have Brett Favre. Despite being in a shell and trying to not lose the game, they had the right guy for trying to win the game. Favre led a staggering 14 play drive that ate up over 7 minutes. On 3rd and 6 from the New England 7, an incomplete pass was nullified by defensive holding. The Patriots were uncharacteristically undisciplined on this night. Jones redeemed himself by going in from one yard out to put the Jets up 31-24 with 3:10 left.
The Patriots went nowhere, and the Jets took over with 2:24 left. All they had to do was run out the clock. Just like in the first half, this team cannot close out games. On 3rd and 2, Jones only picked up one yard. After a punt, with one timeout remaining, the Patriots took over with 1:04 left at their own 38. Cassel simply ripped the Jets secondary to shreds. With 8 seconds remaining, the Patriots faced 4th and 1 from the Jets 16. Cassel threw to Randy Moss, who in case people forgot, is a superstar. Moss made an acrobatic catch in the end zone, somehow dragging his feet with no room to work with. The touchdown catch tied the game with one second remaining. The teams went into overtime tied 31-31. The Patriots had all the momentum, and the Jets were again going to be the same old Jets.
The Jets won the coin toss and began at their own 20. 2 plays later they faced 3rd and 15 at their own 15. One more incomplete pass would lead to the punt that would give the Patriots excellent field position to win it. That punt never came. Favre hit Keller for 16 yards. Keller caught it a yard short of the marker and bulldozed over a tackler for the first down. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 44, Favre again found Keller for the first down. Favre then hit Lavernues Coles for 16 yards. After 14 plays and a ridiculous 8 minutes against a worn out defense, Jay Feely drilled the 34 yard field goal for the shocking upset win.
The New York Jets lead the AFC East at 7-3 ina division where nobody is below .500. This was not the Superbowl, but if the fortunes of these teams are different 3 years form now, it started with this courageous win. Despite being outgained 511 to 375, and being within one coin toss of losing, the Jets are not the same old Jets. They beat their archrival on the road in a series that is as every bit intense as when it was the Tuna Bowl with Bill Parcells battling Pete Carroll. Bill Bellichick and Eric Mangini may detest each other even more, and the rivalry produced one of the best games this year. 34-31 Jets, OT
Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons–After a punt, the Broncos began at their own 45. Hillis ran for a 7 yard touchdown to put the Broncos up 7-0. Former Broncos kicker Jason Elam nailed a pair of field goals to pull the Falcons to within 7-6. After Prater missed a 50 yard field goal for Denver, Atlanta moved 61 yards, with Michael Turner running it in from 9 yards out to give the Falcons the 13-7 halftime lead.
The Broncos began the 2nd half with an 11 play, 5 minute drive that went 77 yards. Peyton Hillis ran it in from 2 yards out to put the Broncos up 14-13. The Broncos moved the ball again late in the 3rd quarter, moving from their own 38. On the last play of the quarter, on 3rd and goal form the one, Hillis was blown up in the backfield. The field goal put the Broncos up 17-13. The Falcons came right back, and a 28 yard run by Michael Turner had the Falcons back on top 20-17 with 10 1/2 minutes left.
Jay Cutler matched Matt Ryan drive for drive. A 47 yard pass to Brandon Marshall had Denver in business. A 14 yard pass to Hillis had the Broncos at the Atlanta 8. Cutler hit Graham for the touchdown to put Denver back in front by 4 points with 5 1/2 minutes left. Ryan calmly moved the Falcons from their own 24 to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 37 at the 2 minute warning. However, the guy they call Matty Ice could not pull out another win. The drive went backwards at that point, and the Falcons turned it over on downs. 24-20 Broncos
Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers–The winless Lions took on one of the top teams in the NFC on the road. The Lions actually moved 80 yards on 12 plays over 7 1/2 minutes. Dante Culpepper hit Calvin Johnson for a 29 yard touchdown pass to put the Lions up 7-0. A 13 play, 7 minute drive led to a field goal extended the shocking upset as the Lions led 10-0. Then reality set in in the second quarter.
Jake Delhomme led a 76 yard drive that ended in a 15 yard pass to King to get the Panthers to within 10-7. In an attempt to give the team a spark, the Lions attempted a 56 yard field goal on their next drive. Veteran Jason Hansen nailed it and the Lions led 13-7. Only 4 plays later, the Panthers had the lead as Williams ran straight up the middle for a 56 yard touchdown run. The Lions fumbled on the first play from scrimmage of their next drive, allowing Carolina to start at the Detroit 38. A 22 yard run by Stewart had the Panthers up 21-13. Although only one minute remained in the half, a strong kickoff return had the Lions starting at their own 46, setting up a field goal on the last play of the half. Detroit only trailed 21-16.
A 10 play, 6 1/2 minute drive led to a field goal and a 24-16 Carolina lead to start the second half. With 14 minutes remaining, Culpepper led a 15 play drive that went 70 yards and ate up 8 minutes of clock. Culpepper snuck in the final yard himself, but his attempt to score himself on the 2 point conversion failed. The Lions trailed 24-22 with 6 minutes left. The Panthers went nowhere, and The Lions got the ball back only one minute later at their own 14. Culpepper was intercepted by Godfrey, who returned it to the Detroit 4. These are the Lions. Williams carried it in for the touchdown. Detroit faced miserable field position again, starting at their own 2 yard line, and could not mount a comeback. The Panthers survived to move to 8-2 despite marginal numbers from Delhomme. 267 yards on the ground helped. The Lions remained winless. 31-22 Panthers
Philadelphia Eagles @ Cincinnati Bengals–This hideous game featured the Bengals reaching 1st and goal at the 1, only to kick a field goal. The Eagles added field goal, and seconds before the half, Fitzpatrick hit TJ Houshmanzadeh for a 26 yard touchdown just before the half to put the Bengals up 10-3. After a field goal in the 3rd quarter extended the lead to 13-3, the Eagles came back in only 2 plays. A 57 yard pass from Donovan McNabb to Hank Basket set up a 4 yard touchdown pass to Smith to pull the Eagles to within 13-10. In the 4th quarter, McNabb led a 6 minute drive that went 13 plays. From their own 23, the Eagles moved deep until they faced 4th and 1 at the Cincy 9. Andy Reid played it conservative on the road and kicked the field goal to tie the game 13-13 with 5 minutes remaining.
If ever a game did not deserve overtime, this game was it. However, an entire dreadful extra session left things unsettled. With 52 seconds remaining in an inept overtime, a terrible roughing the passer call practically gave the game to the Bengals. Although it was clearly a legal hit on Fitzpatrick, it was ruled a helmet hit. Nevertheless, with 8 seconds left, a 47 yard field goal attempt was just wide. Donovan McNabb then threw an incomplete Hail Mary to end this miserable game. It was the first tie game since 2002, and it could not end soon enough. 13-13, OT Tie
New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs–A Drew Brees interception had the Chiefs beginning their second drive at the New Orleans 47. Tyler Thigpen took 5 minutes with the short field to move the Chiefs, with a 6 yard touchdown pass to Bowe to put the Chiefs up 7-0. The Saints kicked a field goal, got the ball back at the Kansas City 43 on their next possession, and moved the ball again. Brees hit Thomas for 24 yards before Deuce McAllister ran it in from one yard out to put the Saints up 10-7 in the 2nd quarter. The Chiefs then mounted a 14 play drive that ate up 8 minutes of clock. Yet on 1st and goal at the one, the offense went cold. 3 plays lost one yard and the Chiefs kicked the tying field goal to make it a 10-10 game. Brees brought the Saints right back, but got no further than the Kansas City 5 yard line. The field goal had the Saints up 13-10 at intermission.
One minute into the 3rd quarter, Brees hit Moore for a 47 yard touchdown pass to put the Saints up 20-10. Again the Chiefs moved the ball, going 13 plays in over 6 minutes. Again the drive bogged down near the goal line, with 3 plays from the 3 yielding nothing. Another field goal had the Chiefs within 20-13. Yet while the Chiefs were kicking field goals, the Saints were reaching the end zone. A 21 yard pass from Brees to Thomas set up a one yard Thomas run on the next play to put the Saints up 27-13 late in the 3rd quarter. The Chiefs kept fighting, and one minute into the 4th quarter, Thigpen hit Bowe again for a 5 yard touchdown to get the Chiefs within 27-20.
The Chiefs quickly got the ball back, and with 10 minutes left faced 4th and 2 at the Saints 40. They decided to punt and play field position. Brees led the Saints from their own 12 to a 4th and 1 at the Kansas City 17. The field goal with 3 1/2 minutes left locked up the game. The Saints improved to 5-5 while the Chiefs fell to 1-9 with the loss. 30-20 Saints
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants–The defending champions jumped all over Baltimore and never let up. A one yard run by bruiser Brandon Jacobs had Big Blue up 7-0. The Ravens best best chance to make it a game came from 4th and 3 at the New York 13. Matt Stover’s field attempt was blocked. Another drive led to another one yard Brandon Jacobs touchdown to put the Giants up 13-0 after a failed attempt at an extra point. It was the only break for Baltimore in the game. The Giants drove 90 yards in 12 plays over a 6:40 span on their next drive. Eli Manning hit Johnson for one yard touchdown pass to put the Giants up 20-0 in the 2nd quarter. They coasted the rest of the way, and improved to 9-1. Baltimore fell to 6-4 with the loss. 30-10 Giants
Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers–The teams traded field goals in the opening quarter, wit Warrick Dunn being stuffed on a 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 37 being the closest thing resembling a highlight. Early in the 2nd quarter, Gus Frerotte hit Wade for a 4 yard touchdown pass to put the Vikings up 10-3. The Vikings led 13-6 at the half. The second half was pure Buc Ball, as the Pirates of Pewter Pants clamped down. An 11 play 80 yard drive ate up 5 1/2 minutes, and Askew scored from one yard out to tie the game at 13-13. 30 seconds into the 4th quarter, Jeff Garcia led a 13 play, 9 minute drive that led to a field goal and a 16-13 Buccaneers lead with 5 1/2 minutes left. Minnesota fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting up another field goal to put the Buccaneers up by 6 points. Minnesota had 2 more chances, but suffocated under the defense of Monte Kiffin. 19-13 Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins–The misery on offense continues. The Dolphins managed a 93 yard drive that culminated in a 40 yard run by Ted Ginn to take a 7-0 lead. The Raiders, aided by pass interference call, reached the Miami 3 yard line before naturally settling for a field goal. In the 3rd quarter, Chad Pennington was sacked in the end zone for a safety. The Raiders took the free kick, and moved in range for a 45 yard field goal and the lead. Sebstian Janikowski clanked it off of the upright. Instead of being up 8-7, the Raiders then allowed the Dolphins right down the field. 64 yards later Patrick Cobbs ran it in to put the Dolphins up 14-5 on a team with an offense so dysfunctional that a safety counts as offense.
With 12 minutes remaining, the Dolphins punted rather than kick a field goal or go for it on 4th and 4 at the Oakland 34. The Raiders began at their own 8, and Culpepper moved them all the way to a 3rd and 5 at the Miami 19. One incomplete pass later, and the Raiders kicked a field goal to pull to within 14-8 with 8 minutes left. The Dolphins punted on their next possession, and Johnny Lee Higgins returned the punt 93 yards for a touchdown. Despite not scoring a touchdown on offense in 3 straight games, the Raiders led 15-14 with 4 1/2 minutes left. Perhaps they could pull out a miracle upset.
They could not. Pennington took over at the Miami 20 and went right to work. At the 2 minute warning, the Dolphins faced 4th and 5 at the Oakland 35. Miami passed up the field goal and decided to go for it. All the Raiders needed was one stop to win. They did not get it. Pennington hit Ginn for a 7 yard gain. With 38 seconds remaining, Carpenter hit a 38 yard field goal to win it. The missed field goal by Oakland was decisive, as the Raiders fell to 2-8. They defeated Miami in Miami last year when the Dolphins were 1-15. This year Miami is 6-4. The agony in Oakland continues. 17-15 Dolphins
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers–Aaron Rodgers found Greg Jennings for a 3 yard touchdown to put the Packers up 7-0. After a Chicago field goal, Rodgers led a 65 drive before the half. An 18 yard run by Ryan Grant set up a 4 yard Grant run for the touchdown to extend the Packers lead to 14-3. The Bears took over at their own 7 with 1:11 left in the half , punted the ball, and allowed the Packers to kick a 53 yard field to put Green Bay up 17-3 at the half. In the 3rd quarter, Aaron Rodgers led an 11 play, 88 yard drive that took 5 minutes. A 5 yard touchdown pass to Lee had the Packers up 24-3. The game became a blowout after that. 37-3 Packers
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts–Sage Rosenfels again played ably in place of Matt Schaub, but it paled in comparison to Peyton Manning, who lit up Houston with 30 of 46 passing for 320 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. In the first 27 minutes, each team had a pair of field goals. With just under 3 minutes left in the half, Ahman Green broke through from one yard out to put the Texans up 13-6. Adam Vinatieri added his 3rd field goal just before the half as the Colts trailed 13-9 at halftime.
In the 2nd half the offenses flew. Manning hit Joseph Addai for a 23 yard touchdown pass to put the Colts up 16-13. Only 3 plays later, Steve Slaton rambled 71 yards off tckle to put the Teans back on top 20-16. Manning kept firing, and a 24 yard pass to Gonzalez followed by a 15 yarder to Marvin Harrison and an 11 yarder to Reggie Wayne set up Joseph Addai on the ground from 7 yards out. The Colts led 23-20 entering the final quarter. After a punt, Manning kept rifling. On the first play of the 4th quarter, a 10 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Harrison had the Colts up 30-20.
With Rosenfels passing and Slaton picking up big yards on the gorund, the Texans moved 77 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Ahman Green ran it in from 2 yards out to pull the Texans within 30-27 with 9 minutes left. Despite scoring rapidly all game, Manning led a punishing 16 play drive that used up 7 minutes. The Colts moved form their own 18 to the Houston 13, but then th drive bogged down. A field goal had the Colts up by 6 points, giving the Texans life and the ball with 1:52 left at their own 24. Despite playing well all game, Rosenfels was intercepted by Bullitt at the Indy 35 with 32 seconds remaining. It was not easy, but the Colts had survived again against a frustrated Texans team that falls just short. 33-27 Colts
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers–Last week the Rams trailed 40-0 at halftime. This week was just as miserable. A punt return had the 49ers starting at the Rams 34. A Frank Gore 5 yard run had the 49ers up 7-0. The 2nd quarter was pure punishment. An 80 yard, 15 play, 8 minute drive led to a field goal to pull the Rams within 7-3. Then the levee broke and the Rams got washed away. Sean Hill hit Johnson for a 42 yard gain to set up a 2 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis to put the 49ers up 14-3. Marc Bulger then fumbled, the 49ers started at the Rams 16, and Frank Gore did the rest to make it a 21-3 game. Bulger was then intercepted, allowing the 49ers to being at their own 40. Hill hit Foster for 31 yards, and then Hill took the final yard himself to make it 28-3. Bulger was picked off again, the 49er began at their own 44, and Hill hit Johnson for 2 yards to put the 49ers up 35-3 at halftime. The 49ers slept through the second half, and so did much of the television public. 35-16 49ers
Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks–Before the season, not many had the Cardinals at 6-3 and the Seahawks at 2-7. Kurt Warner has the Greatest Show in the Desert, and the Walrus Mike Holmgren finally has the Hasselbeck back from injury. It did not help. Warner led a 13 play, 7 minute drive, but on 4th and 1 from the Seattle 20, Ken Whisenhunt opted for the field goal and a 3-0 Arizona lead. The Cardinals moved 89 yards on their next drive, with Warner hitting Anquon Boldin for 45 yards to set up a 4 yard touchdown run by JJ Arrington. Another field goal had the Cardinals up 13-0, but while cruising to a win, Warner blundered. An interception at his own 19 led to a 13 yard Hasselbeck touchdown to Morris to make it a 13-7 game.
Yet after that it was all Cardinals. Neil Rackers nailed a 3rd field goal before the half and a 4th field goal in the 3rd quarter to have Arizona up 19-7. When Warner hit Arrington for a 6 yard touchdown pass, the Cardinals were coasting 26-7 after three quarters. They forgot to lock the coffin. From the Arizona 3, Hasselbeck was intercepted in the end zone. However, instead of taking the touchback, the ball was brought out, fumbled back, and the Seahawks took over at the Arizona 11. Again, on defense, just stay down! TJ Duckett scored from one yard out to make it 26-13 after a failed 2 point conversion. Warner then fumbled at his own 14, and Seattle recovered. on 4th and 3 from the 7, Hasselbeck ran it himself to the 2. Duckett scored to make it a 26-20 game with 9:41 left. All 3 Seattle touchdown drives were less than 20 yards.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars–Even at 9-0, th Titans knew that going into Jacksonville meant this game was going to be a headknocker. Both teams run the ball and play attacking defense, with Jeff Fisher and Jack Del Rio both having disciplined clubs. Yet Kerry Collins needs to stop being referred to as a game manager. The guy is a superstar. This game was expected to be low scoring, and it was.
Trailing 3-0 in the 2nd quarter, David Garrard led an 11 play, 74 yard drive that ate up over 6 minutes. Maurice Jones-Drew ran it in form 2 yards out to put Jacksonville up 7-3. The defenses slugged it out, but with just over one minute left in the half, a punt return set up the Jaguars at the Tennessee 37. Garrard hit Lewis for 19 yards, and Jones-Drew had his second touchdown run, this one from one yard out. The Jaguars led 14-3 at the half.
In the 3rd quarter, it was the Titans that took a punt and began with good field position at their own 45. Collins hit Jones for a 13 yard touchdown to place the Titans within 14-10. After a punt, Collins launched a deep ball that was caught by Justin Gage for a 56 yard touchdown. The Titans led 17-14 entering the 4th quarter. The defenses engaged in a war of attrition, but with 4 minutes remaining Collins went deep to Gage again, this time for a 38 yard touchdown. The Titans improved to 10-0, and the Jaguars fell to a deep hole at 4-6. It was not pretty, but the Titans won another tough one. 24-14 Titans
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers–Norvelous Norv Turner brought his collapsing Chargers into Pittsburgh with snow coming down. The game was expected to be low scoring, with Mike Tomlin and his defense expected to thrive in the cold weather against the warm weather San Diego Chargers. Both teams knocked each other around for most of the game.
Ladanian Tomlinson started out red hot in the snow, and his 3 yard touchdown run had the Chargers up 7-0. The Chargers then went ice cold, although the Steelers could not reach the end zone. The Steelers had 4th and goal at the one, and Mewelde Moore got blasted backwards. The Chargers had the goal line stand, but their offense just could not accept the present. Philip Rivers was hit in the end zone and fumbled. It was a safety, and the Steelers were within 7-2 as the opening quarter ended. Both offenses were struggling, but Rivers led the Chargers to the Pittsburgh 17 before being intercepted. The ball was returned to the Pittsburgh 43. Pittsburgh reached the San Diego 3, but had t settle for a field goal and a 7-5 game at the half. This might have been the only time in NFL history where 2 games on the same day had a score of 7-5.
The Steelers opened the 2nd half with a 14 play, 6 1/2 minute drive that led to a field goal and an 8-7 lead. The other 7-5 game had the go ahead field goal missed, preventing further boring history. A day that was miserable for the offenses had the Chargers drive down deep, only to settle for another field goal. Nevertheless, they led 10-8 with 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.
Roethlisberger took over and led the Steelers from their own 13 to the San Diego 4. On 3rd and goal from the 4 with 15 seconds left, Pittsburgh decided not to bring out the field goal kicker. A touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty, and all of a sudden a gift 21 yard field goal attempt was now 31 yards. Josh Reed nailed it anyway. The STeelers led 11-10 with 5 seconds left. The ensuing kickoff featured some laterals, and the last lateral was broken up and returned by Troy Palomalu for an insurance touchdown. After further review, that touchdown did not count. Nevertheless, despite not reaching the end zone, 3 field goals and a safety gave the NFL its very first 11-10 game in history. The Steelers are gritting and gutting their way to the playoffs as the Chargers fell to 4-6. Marty Schottenheimer, where are you? 11-10 Steelers
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins was the Sunday night game. With Tony Romo returning, both of these teams were expected to light up the scoreboard. Instead the defenses took over. Jason Campbell made it look easy on the opening drive for Washington, needing 10 plays and 5 minutes to go only 49 yards. Campbell hit Sellers for the 2 yard touchdown that put the Redskins up 7-0. The defenses remained stout, but with one minute left in the half, Romo hit Terrell Ownes for a 25 yard gain, setting up a 2 yard Marion Barber run to tie the game 7-7. Yet a 58 yard kickoff return by Cartwright to the Dallas 37 set up a field goal and a 10-7 Washington lead at the half.
The 3rd quarter was scoreless as the defenses dominated. Campbell led a 7 minute drive, but was intercepted on 3rd and 2 at the Dallas 35. On their next drive Suisham missed a field goal. Seconds into the 4th quarter, Dallas finally mounted a drive as Romo moved the team 67 yards in 10 plays. Romo hit Bennett for a 25 yard touchdown pass to put Dallas up by 4 points with 10 1/2 minutes remaining. Campbell moved the Redskins to a 4th and 4 at the Dallas 37. The Redskins decided to go for it, and an incomplete pass turned the ball over on downs with 6:40 remaining. Marion Barber than took over, and ground Washington into dust. The Redskins never got the ball back, as Dallas avenged an earlier home loss to Washington. Both teams are 6-4, and in the hunt. 14-10 Cowboys
Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills was the Monday night game. What started out as a dreadful game ended up a thriller, as Brady Quinn and Trent Edwards brought back memories of Bernie Kosar and Joe Ferguson. Jim Kelly watched from the sidelines. Edwards had one of the most miserable quarters in Monday Night Football history. He threw 3 interceptions in the opening quarter alone. Yet Quinn and the Browns could not take advantage, and the 3 turnovers produced only a pair of field goals for a 6-0 Browns lead.
In the 2nd quarter Quinn led the Browns on a 96 yard drive that took 12 plays and 6 minutes. Quinn hit Braylon Edwards for gains of 20 and 18 yards. Jamal Lewis had a 16 yard run to set up a 2 yard run by Josh Cribbs to put the Browns up 13-0. A short kickoff had the Bills starting their next drive at their own 41. Marshawn Lynch was a one man wrecking crew in this game, and his 18 yard catch from Edwards had the Bills within 13-7. Buffalo added a field goal on their next drive to trail 13-10 at halftime. Each team had a field goal in the 3rd quarter, and with the Browns leading 16-13, both teams lit up the scoreboard in the 4th quarter.
On the first play on the 4th quarter, from the Cleveland 28, Harrison ripped off a 72 yard run to put the Browns up 23-13. Seconds later, Leo McKelvin had taken the ensuing kickoff back 98 yards to get the Bills right back in it 23-20. The Browns came right back down the field, but could not get past the 5 yard line. Phil Dawson’s 4th field goal with 11 1/2 minutes remaining had the Browns up 26-20.
After an exchange of punts, the Bills took over at the Cleveland 48 with 5:13 to go. From the 29, Lynch broke through and then dragged tacklers all the way down to the one yard line. Edwards scored himself on the next play, and the Bills led 27-26 with 2:25 remaining. The Browns were on the verge of becoming the first team in NFL history to lose 3 straight games when leading by at least 13 points.
Quinn drove the Browns from the Cleveland 33 to the Buffalo 39, but then threw 3 incomplete passes. Phil Dawson’s 5th field goal attempt wasa 56 yarder, and he leveled it. The Browns led bya deuce, but they used up only 46 seconds of clock. They still had all of their timeouts, but Buffalo had 1:39 to work with. After a short kickoff, the Bills began at their own 44. Edwards hit Royal for 22 yards down to the Cleveland 34. Although the Bills did not pick up another first down, it was the Browns using their timeouts on defense. This was very smart coaching by Romep Crennel, giving the Browns hope if they fell behind again.
Ryan Lindell came in for a 47 yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining. With Jim Kelly watching, Ryan Lindell missed it just wide right. It was the exact same length and miss as Scott Norwood in the first Buffalo Superbowl loss. This was not the Superbowl, but it was the 4th straight loss for Dick Jauron and the Bills after a 5-1 start. Cleveland is 4-6 and still on life support. 27-26 Bills
eric