My coed touch football team “Team Awesome” had a bye week due to the Thanksgiving holidays. That meant football fans were again stuck with Dallas and Detroit. Some say tradition should not be changed, but new traditions start all the time. Just ask the Jews. Christian America became a tradition. Things change. Like decent gladiators everywhere know, the Christians are better than the Lions.
In even less important news to some, the Canadian Football League Grey Cup saw the Montreal Allouettes defeat the Saskatchewan Something-or-Others 21-18 to win consecutive championships.
In happy news, the United Football League saw the Las Vegas Locomotives win their second straight UFL Championship for head coach and all around good guy Jim Fassel. He absolutely deserves another shot in the NFL.
Also, a quick note about “parity.” Parity has a negative connotation. The late Pete Rozelle understood that the NFL is not about parity. It is “competitive balance,” the “any given Sunday” mentality. Their are still some very good and very bad teams. Not everybody is on pace for 8-8. Yet the graphic below is a fascinating chart. Enjoy it.
http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/2010/11/this-graphic-about-the-nfl-in-2010-will-blow-your-mind/
That is competitive balance.
Now on to the NFL 2010 Week 12 Recap.
New England Patriots @ Detroit Lions was the morning Thanksgiving game. There was a time when going against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day was a risky proposition. Yet after Bobby Ross and Barry Sanders quit in disgust, it has been safe to bet against the Lions virtually always. Bobbie Layne continues to roll over in his grave as Jim Schwartz continues channeling his inner Rod Marinelli.
The Patriots have been the model of excellence in the last decade while the Lions have been the model of ineptitude. New England peaked at 16-0 in 2007 while Detroit bottomed out at 0-16 in 2008. In 2010, the 8-2 Patriots were facing off against the 2-8 Lions. So when the best traveled to play the worst, the expectation was a blowout.
Both teams punted to start the game, and a second Lions punt had the Patriots starting at the Detroit 43. On 3rd and 6, Brady hit Wes Welker for gains of 9 and 19. On 3rd and 7 from the 8, Brady hit Welker again, but was half a yard short. On 4th and 1 from the 2, the normally gambling Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick went conservative on the road and decided to take the points. Shane Graham was good from 19 and the Patriots led 3-0. Would that be enough to end the game?
Not yet. From the Detroit 29, Shawn Hill led a surprising 11 play, 5 minute drive. On 3rd and 8, he hit Nate Burleson for 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Patriots 41, he scrambled for 8. Hill then tossed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and the Lions shocked the football world by leading 7-3.
In the second quarter, the Patriots punted and the Lions took over at their own 37. Hill did it again, leading the Lions 13 plays in 6 1/2 minutes. A combination of runs and short passes set up 3rd and 2 at the New England 31. Hill hit Burleson for 6, and then Morrison ran for 14. On 3rd and 8 from the 9, Hill hit Williams for 7. On 4th and 1 from the 2, Schwartz decided to go for it. Hill picked up the yard, Morris ran it in on the next play, and the Lions were leading in a stunner 14-3. It’s a Thanksgiving Day Miracle Charlie Brown.
Not so fast. New England finally woke up and got over their boredom. They took over at their own 17. On 3rd and 6 from the Patriots 33, an incomplete pass was nullified due to defensive pass interference. On 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 48, Tom Brady hit Hernandez for 18 and Welker for 13 more. From the Detroit 21, Green-Ellis ran for 6, and then barreled for the final 15 on the next carry as the Patriots were within 14-10.
The Lions took over at their 33 with only 39 seconds left in the half. On 3rd and 1, Brown carried for the yard as the Lions took their first timeout with 18 seconds left in the half. Hill hit Brandon Pettigrew for 11 and Burleson for 20 with 2 seconds left. The field goal was 44 yards, and for the first time on Thanksgiving since 1991 when Eddie Murray was kicking, Jason Hanson was not playing due to injury. Rayner came in and gave the crowd a big lift when he made it as the Lions led 17-10 at halftime.
New England punted on their first drive of the second half, and the Lions took over at their own 11. Morris ran for 17 yards, and the Lions had all the momentum. The upset was happening. No. Hill was intercepted, and the Patriots took over at the Detroit 26. On 2nd and 7 Brady hit Deion Branch for 12. Green Ellis ran for 6 and then the final 5 to have the game tied 17-17.
So naturally the Lions would fold. Well, not yet. Stephan Logan returned the ensuing kickoff to the Detroit 42. On 3rd and 8 Hill hit Pettigrew for 24 and Johnson for 21 more. The Lions failed to convert on 3rd and goal at the 1. On 4th and goal Schwartz decided to go for it again, and again he was rewarded. Morris banged it in as the Lions again led 24-17.
The Patriots took over at their own 13. On 3rd and 2 Brady went deep to Branch for 79 yard touchdown bomb. The defender has position all the way down the field, but Branch faked him out three times, inside, outside, and inside again before reaching the pileon. The game was tied 24-24.
Hill continued to move the Lions, getting them from the Detroit 30 to a 4th and 5 at the New England 28. With a chance to retake the lead again, Rayner missed the 46 yard field goal attempt. With one minute left in the third quarter, would the Lions finally collapse?
Yes. New England took over at their own 36, and on 2nd and 2, Brady ended the quarter with a 26 yard completion to Gronkowski. From the Detroit 33, Brady hit Welker for 11 and then hit Branch for the 22 yard touchdown to have the Patriots up 31-24 only one minute into the fourth quarter.
The Lions took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 5 from the Detroit 45, a completed pass for the first down was nullified by offensive pass interference, and the Lions punted. The Patriots took over at their own 16. On 3rd and 2, a wildcat snap to Woodhead as Brady pretended that it went over his head went for 9. From the New England 38, Brandon Tate picked up 17 From the Detroit 42, Brady found Gronkowski for 26 yards, and then connected with Welker for the 16 yard touchdown to have the Patriots up 38-24 with 7 minutes left in regulation. While the Detroit collapse was inevitable, at least it was not a blowout. Oh wait, it would be.
On 2nd and 1 from the Detroit 40, Hill was intercepted by McCourty at the New England 38. McCourty returned it 50 yards to the Detroit 12. Green-Ellis ran it in from 1 yard out with 3 minutes to play to officially make it a 21 point game. Hill tried to at least get the Lions a garbage touchdown, moving them from their 20 to a 4th and 3 at the the New England 6. Hill fired incomplete and Detroit became the second team this year to officially have a losing record while the Patriots became the first team to officially have a winning record. So much for parity.
Some will praise the Lions for hanging in there and fighting hard. They led in the third quarter and were tied after three quarters. This is nonsense. They were outscored 42-10 after having a brief lead. I have a couple friends in the military who wanted to see the Lions win on Thanksgiving. When it counted, as usual, they were not even competitive. Short of William Clay Ford getting a government bailout, there is no optimism for a failed team in a failed city. The only thing left is for the Lions to secede and join the Canadian Football League. Calvin Johnson deserves better, and maybe if Matthew Stafford can be healthy next year, there will be a ray of hope. Hill did finish 27 of 46 for 285 yards and one touchdown with 2 interceptions. As for Brady, he finished 21 of 27 for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns with 0 interceptions, as the possible letdown after last week’s emotional win over Indy was dispelled in the second quarter. 45-24 Patriots
New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys was the afternoon Thanksgiving game. Dallas began with Super Bowl aspirations and then went 1-7, resulting in the firing of Wade Phillips. Jason Garrett has fired up the Cowboys, who have won 2 straight. As for the defending champion Saints, Sean Payton has them back on track at 7-3, with Reggie Buh set to return after missing much of the season. Last year the Saints were 13-0 when Dallas came into New Orleans and beat the daylights out of them, going up 24-3 and hanging on for a 24-17 win. Wade Phillips coached that game. Jason Garrett had a heroic Thanksgiving game of his own in 1994 filling in for Troy Aikman, but today Garrett was coaching and Aikman was with Joe Buck in the broadcast booth. Wade’s father Bum Phillips used to coach the Saints, which means people were desperate for a storyline. TMZ fans could point out that both teams had a player who slept with some Kardashian, as if that is worth bragging about. As for the game, it went as expected at the start.
The Saints took over at their own 20 and Drew Brees went right to work. He hit Graham for 14 and Devry Henderson for 12 more. After offensive holding, Brees went deep to Henderson, who made an acrobatic catch for 57 yards at the Dallas 7. After an offsides penalty, Ivory ran it in from the 3 to quickly have the Saints up 7-0.
With Tony Romo out for the season, Jon Kitna began by throwing an interception, setting the Saints up at the Dallas 31. The defense held, but Garret Hartley drilled a 50 yard field goal to have the Saints up 10-0. Dallas responded by moving backward and punting on 4th and 23 from their own 7 as the Saints took over at their own 42.
On 3rd and 2 from midfield, former Dallas running back Julius Jones picked up 6. Brees then hit Marquis Colston for 16 and fired to the end zone to Henderson for a 28 yard touchdown as the Saints led 17-0 only midway through the opening quarter. Dallas would fumble the ensuing kickoff, but the callw as reversed and the Cowboys retained possession. While the Saints were on pace to win 136-0, Dallas was not Cumberland. The game would slowly settle down.
Kitna would convert a couple of 3rd downs, and the second quarter began with Dallas facing 4th and 1 at the Saint 21. Garrett decided to go for it and Marion Barber got blown up in the backfield. The Saints would punt, and Dallas took over again at their own 18. On 3rd and 6 from the Saints 47, Kitna hit Miles Austin for 7 and then got a screen pass to Felix Jones, who took it for 28 yards. For the third time in the half, Dallas would fumble the ball but be lucky enough to recover their own fumble. With 5 minutes left in the half, the Cowboys faced 4th and 1 at the Saints 3. Garrett decided that Dallas needed points on the board, and David Buehler did not take the day off as he made the 21 yarder to have the Cowboys down 17-3.
The Saints took over on their own 19. On 3rd and 3, Brees hit Moore for 6. On 3rd and 10 Brees hit Jones for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Sallas 47, offensive holding only temporarily slowed the Saints as a 28 yard pass to Colston kept the drive going. The Saints got no further, and with 47 seconds left in the half, Hartley came in for a 45 yard field goal. He made it and the Saints led 20-3.
Dallas took over at their own 24 with 37 seconds left in the half. A pair of 12 yard completions to Austin and Jason Witten still had Dallas out of range, but a critical illegal use of hands penalty on the defense was just enough to allow Buehler to try a 53 yard field goal on the last play of the half. It was not pretty, but it snuck through as the Cowboys trailed 20-6 at the break. Despite the one interception, Kitna was playing well, completing 17 of 21. Yet Dallas had no answer for Brees, who was 12 of 17 for 188 yards in the first half.
Dallas exploded out of the gate to start the second half. From the Dallas 32, Kitna hit Jones for 8 and then executed a reverse to Austin. Kardashian boyfriend 2 ran around the end and followed a blocker all the way for a 60 yard touchdown as the Cowboys were immediately within 20-13. Unfortunately for Dallas, Drew Brees and the Saints got the ball back, this time from their own 20.
Brees connected with Moore for 12, and Ivory then ran for 17. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 32, Brees hit Colston for 19. Yet Dallas then held, as the Saints settled for a 28 Hartley field goal to lead 23-13.
The Saints had scored on 6 of 7 possessions and were looking for more when Dallas had to punt. Yet Kardashian boyfriend 1 Reggie Bush, perhaps more rusty from the broken leg and missing games than his absence from her, fumbled the punt. The Cowboys recovered the gift at the Saints 15. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Barber was stacked up just short of the goal line. This time Garrett decided to go for it on 4th and goal at the 1, and after the collision, Marion the Barbarian was the winner. It was tough, but the Cowboys were only down 23-20 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
Brees brought the Saints back again, and on 4th and 5 from the Dallas 35, Sean Payton decided against the 53 yard field goal attempt. This time Brees fired high and incomplete, and Dallas took over. Kitna completed a pass to Felix Jones just shy of midfield. Yet for the 4th time in the game, Dallas would fumble the ball. Luckily again, for the 4th time they retained possession as the third quarter ended. In an unbelievable turn of events, the fourth quarter began exactly the same way, with Kitna getting hit and causing the 5th Dallas fumble, and for the 5th time Dallas somehow retaining possession, The play actually gained 5 yards.
With 11 minutes left in regulation and the Cowboys facing 3rd and 4 at the Saints 35, Dallas took a timeout, leaving each team with 2 left. Dez Bryant was complaining on the sidelines a couple plays earlier for not having a single pass thrown his way the whole game. So Kitna finally threw to Bryant, missed him badly, and Dallas had 4th and 4. Garrett surprisingly decided not to go for it or try the 53 yard field goal, instead opting to punt. Chaos then ensued as the 6th Dallas fumble on the day came when punter McBriar dropped the snap. In a bizarre sequence as the ball bounced and rolled around, McBriar just kicked it. Penalty flags flew. While a “drop-kick” is still legal, it requires possession, which McBriar had lost. Yet New Orleans declined the penalty anyway and took over at their own 16. The last successful drop-kick came a couple years ago from Doug Flutie, and before that happened in 1941.
On 3rd and 7, Brees fired a perfect deep strike to Jimmie Brown. It bounced off his fingers and was intercepted by Sensebaugh, who returned it 14 yards to the Dallas 39. Kitna hit Roy Williams for 24 yards. On 1st and goal Marion Barber was ruled to have a touchdown, but before payton could challenge the call, the officials overruled it and called him down short of the goal. On 2nd and goal Barber again came up short. On 3rd and goal Tashard Choice got the carry. Initially it appeared that a seventh Dallas fumble was in the cards, but it was a Dallas helmet then went bouncing around. As for Choice, he broke the plane a the Cowboys had come all the way back to lead 27-23 with 6 minutes left in regulation.
Brees got sacked on 3rd down on the next series as the Saints were forced to punt and the Cowboys smelled the upset. The Cowboys took over at their own 38 with 4:10 to play. On 3rd and 6, Kitna hit Roy Williams over the middle. Williams split the seams and was outracing 3 defenders for what appeared to be the icing on the cake. Instead, he was caught from behind at the Saints 11 by Malcolm Jenkins. In one of the best defensive plays of the season, Jenkins simply ripped it out of his hands. The 7th Dallas fumble of the game was the first one lost by Dallas, and the Saints had life with 3 minutes left.
Brees hit Colston for 22 yards. On 3rd and 10 Brees went deep to Robert Meachem. It was Meachem’s first catch of the day, although he was not complaining on the sidelines. It went for 55 yards to the Dallas 12 at the 2 minute warning. The Saints still had one timeout left. Brees then hit Lance Moore for the score. It was a perfect pass just pass the outstretched hands of a diving Terrence Newman. In the first quarter the Saints had the game all but won. Late in the fourth quarter the Cowboys had the game all but won. Now Dallas needed a field goal to tie the game, and they would start at their own 24 with 1:50 to play and 2 timeouts.
Short passes had the Cowboys at their own 48 with 56 seconds left. A second consecutive sideline pass to Jason Witten went for 9 more yards. Another short pass to Austin bounced off him like a Kardashian, setting up 3rd and 1. Another pass to Roy Williams looked like a loss, but somehow Williams stretched just enough for the first down and got out of bounds. With 42 seconds left, a kick would have been 59 yards. Three incomplete passes set up 4th and 10 with 31 seconds left.
In another stunning decision, Garrett decided to have Buehler try a 59 yard field goal as Payton did not call timeout in time. Buehler drilled it long enough, but it was just wide left. Jason Garrett has done a lot right since taking over, but this decision will be some water cooler talk for a few days. Jerry Jones saw his team lose their 8th game in 12 tries while the Saints survived to go to 8-3, a 1/2 game out of the division lead. 30-27 Saints
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets was the nighttime Thanksgiving game, and the third game of the day that looked like major mismatch on paper with the Jets at 8-2 and the Bengals at 2-8. Last year the Jets only went 9-7, while the Bengals were 11-5 and hosting their playoff game. The Jets beat the daylights out of them in consecutive weeks. The Bengals thought they had upgraded with Terrell Owens, as if that ever happens when he is added to a roster. He and Chad Johnson make up a trashtalking offense. Yes, Rex Ryan is king of the trashtalkers, but unlike the Cincy offense the Jets defense actually backs it up. Last year Darrell Revis called Terrell Owens a slouch. This week Owens said that Revis is only an average corner. Revis has been battling an injury, and again, his team is 8-2 while Owens plays for a 2-8 team while letting the world know that he loves him some him.
An ugly scoreless first quarter could have been skipped entirely, which is what I will do out of respect for the game. In the second quarter the Bengals ran their version of a punt, which is when Carson Palmer throws the bomb and gets intercepted.
The Jets took over at their own 23, and a pair of Ladanian Tomlinson runs had them at the 34. Mark Sanchez hit Dustin Keller for 21, with 15 more tacked on for a facemask. A couple more Tomlinson runs picked up 17, but on 4th and 3 from the 8, Rex Ryan decided on the field goal. Nick Folk hit the 27 yarder to put the Jets up 3-0.
Scott returned the kickoff 33 yards to the Cincy 47. On 3rd and 2, Palmer hit Leonard for 3. Cedric Benson then picked up 14. Palmer then showed how to punt for a touchback, as his deep pass was intercepted in the end zone. Yet Cromartie returned it to the 21, with an illegal block showing why interception returns deep in the end zone should be treated as punts and kickoffs. The Jets took over at their own 3.
The Bengals got the ball back at their own 37, and Palmer hit Gresham for 25 yards just before the 2 minute warning. Palmer hit Chad Johnson to the Jets 21. Encroachment tacked on 5 more. From the 11, a pair of incompletions was followed by a terrible defensive personal foul for a hit on a defenseless receiver. It was clearly a shoulder to the chest and the ball was right there, but nevertheless it was 1st and goal at the 5. A pass to Johnson was initially ruled out of bounds in the end zone. On the next play Palmer hit Jordan Shipley for the score as the Bengals took the lead 7-3 with 43 seconds left in the half.
With all 3 timeouts, Sanchez worked the clock brilliantly, hitting Santonio Holmes for 11, Brad Smith for 23. Nick Folk made the 44 yard field goal but Marvin Lewis had used the despised Shanahan tactic to force Folk to kick again. It worked, Folk missed, and the Bengals led 7-3 at the half of this hideous game that only a son of Buddy Ryan could love.
Brad Smith returned the second half kickoff 18 yards to the Jets 31. Sanchez quickly hit Holmes for 16, and then Smith took an end around all the way for a 53 yard touchdown as the Jets were up 10-7 only seconds into the half.
The Bengals punted, and the Jets took over at their own 10. Sanchez then scrambled, escaped a sack, and channeled his inner Carson Palmer by getting intercepted as the Bengals took over at the Jets 37. Marvin Lewis went to the bag of tricks as Palmer pitched to Chad Johnson, who threw the deep option pass to Terrell Owens. It was incomplete. On 4th and 3, Lewis decided to gamble rather than kick a 48 yard field goal. Palmer called timeout. Palmer then fired incomplete, but a roughing the passer penalty instead moved the Bengals to the 15. This set up a much shorter field goal from 27, which was no good. Speaking of no good, this game was…well, you know.
Things got weird when the Jets punted, and the Jets dove after it as the Bengals did not even bother to give chase. Nobody on the Bengals realized that it touched them. Yet the replays did not show it touched anyone, and the Bengals did not act as if it did. The Jets ran a play without Lewis challenging the decision. One play later, the Jets had a 17-7 lead with a 13 yard touchdown to Holmes.
The fourth quarter began with the Jest facing 4th and 16 at their own 1. A poor punt had the Bengals at the Jets 24. Palmer hit Shipley for 12, but nothing more. This time a 28 yard field goal was good as the Bengals trailed 17-10 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Yet the Bengals had no answer for Brad Smith, who started on one side, followed a perfect miniwedge to the other side of the field, lost one shoe, and got through perfect blocks for a 90 yard one-shoed kickoff return. Nick Folk doinked the extra point off the upright, but somehow it still went through as the Jets led 24-10.
With 7 minute left in regulation, the Bengals were backed up after a fair catch on the 6 yard line. Palmer was about to be sacked when he intentionally grounded the ball in the end zone. The safety had the Bengals down 26-10, while average corner back Revis had limited his loudmouth Cincy critic at that point to 17 yards.
For those who have been criticizing the Jets for being lucky, the Jets are simply good…very good. They deserve to be 9-2. They are in a tie for their division lead and the best record in the NFL. Rex Ryan makes loud comments and puts all the pressure on himself so that the players can relax. As for Marvin Lewis, he is still too good a man to be trapped in such a bad situation. Bengals defender Dhani Jones stars in the commercial where he claims that nothing smells. He should smell his own team. They reek of loserdom, and no amount of reality tv shows will change that. 26-10 Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Giants–A pair of 6-4 teams faced off in an interconference game in which Jack Del Rio saw is team win on a Hail Mary a couple weeks ago and shares their division lead. Tom Coughlin has seen his squad lose 2 straight to fall one game back in their division. He and Jack Del Rio are the only 2 coaches Wayne Weaver has ever had, as Coughlin sought to defeat his old boss.
Eli Manning led the Giants right down the field on their opening drive, but they have been plagued by turnovers with an NFL leading 30. This time they coughed it up inside the Jacksonville 11, but on further review retained possession. On 3rd and 2 from the 3, a draw play blew up in the backfield as Big Blue settled for a 22 yard Lawrence Tynes field goal to complete the 11 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive and have the Giants up 3-0.
David Garrard brought the Jaguars right back, as two teams known for defense under Tom Coughlin and Jack Del Rio did not see much of it early on. From the Giants 24, Jennings ran for 19, and then the final 5 on the next play to have Jacksonville up 7-3.
in the second quarter Garrard led the Jaguars on a 15 play, 85 yard drive that consumed 9 minutes. Yet the Jaguars got no further than the 4 yard line, as a 22 yard Josh Scobee field goal had Jacksonville up 10-3. The Giants came right back as Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 27 yards and Manning hit Beckum for 29 more to the Jacksonville 16. A touchdown pass was nullified by offensive holding, as the Giants settled for a 29 yard field goal to get within 10-6.
Garrard led the Jaguars down the field again, this time moving the Jaguars 71 yards in 13 plays over 5 minutes. On 3rd and 7 from the Jaguars 46, Garrard hit Hill for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the 21, Garrard picked up 6. The Giants could not contain him as he scrambled again on 3rd and goal from the 5 for another touchdown to have the Jaguars up 17-6 at the break.
Tom Coughlin did not fire everyone at halftime, as the Giants took the field. Jack Del Rio may wish he had, since the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter was David Garrard getting intercepted as the Giants took over at the Jaguars 34. The Giants would stall at the 9 yard line, but a 28 yard Tynes field goal had the Giants within 17-9.
With the third quarter ending, the Giants took over at their own 12. Manning hit Kevin Boss for 17 and Brandon Jacobs rumbled for 17 more. The fourth quarter began with Manning hitting Boss for 25 and Mario Manningham for the 26 yard touchdown. Ahmad Bradshaw ran for the 2 point conversion to tie the game 17-17.
Jacksonville took over at their own 34. On 3rd and 2 from the Giants 47, Maurice Jones-Drew picked up 10. Garrard then scrambled for 11. The drive stalled, but Josh Scobee nailed the 42 yard field to have the Jaguars leading 20-17 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation. After an exchange of punts, the Giants took over at their own 31 with 6 minutes left.
Manning hit Manningham for 18, and Jacobs ran for 18 more. 18 is a lucky number in Jewish culture, so this was a way of letting people know Hanukkah in New York was happening soon. On 3rd and 10 from the Jacksonville 32, Manning hit Boss, who took it all the way for the score as the Giants took the lead by 4 points with 3:24 to play. The Jaguars took over at their own 27 with 3 minutes left.
Garrard hit Mike Sims-Walker for 21 yards. On 3rd and 5, Garrard found Thomas for 13 more. On 3rd and 10 from the Giants 34, an incomplete pass was nullified by defensive holding. Garrard was sacked for an 11 yard loss with 1:43 to play. On 2nd and 21 Garrard was sacked and fumbled, but the Jaguars kept it. On 3rd and 25 Garrard was sacked and fumbled again, this time with the Giants recovering. The Giants ran out the clock to give Coughlin the win in the Wayne Weaver Bowl. The Giants improved to 7-4 while the Jaguars fell to 6-5, with both of these teams still in contention for their division crowns. 24-20 Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills–Pittsburgh keeps rolling, while Buffalo has shown a ton of heart in winning consecutive games after starting 0-8.
Ben Roethlisberger, who despite Hanukkah approaching is still not Jewish, led a 13 play 78 yard, 8 minute drive. On 3rd and 8 from the Pittsburgh 45, Big Ben hit Hines Ward for 21. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 15, Redman picked up 9. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Rashaard Mendenhall got the job done to have the Steelers up 7-0. In the second quarter, a 14 play drive would lead to a 45 yard Sean Suisham field goal as the Steelers led 10-0.
With 1:42 left in the half the Steelers took over at their own 18. An 18 yard completion to Ward had Pittsburgh at midfield with 45 seconds left in the half. Offesnive holding set up 1st and 20, but completions to Sanders of 16 and 11 followed by illegal contact on the defense gave Suisham enough time for a 46 yard field goal at the gun to have the Steelers up 13-0.
The Steelers were dominating the game everywhere but the scoreboard, and a 65 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Fred Johnson in the third quarter quickly had the Bills within 13-7. Buffalo got the ball back, and the fourth quarter began with them just shy of midfield. Fitzpatrick hit Nelson for 17, and a couple plays later defensive pass interference had the Bills at the Pittsburgh 11. They got nothing more and settled for a 29 yard Ryan Lindell field goal to trail 13-10.
Pittsburgh immediately gave the ball back when Mendenhall fumbled, as the Bills took over at the Steelers 23. On 3rd and 1 Fitzpatrick snuck and got nothing. On 4th and 1, Chan Gailey decided on the field goal. Lindell connected form 32 and the game was tied 13-13 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Pittsburgh faced 1st and 20 at their own 10 after a holding penalty. Big Ben hit Heath Miller for 26. After a sack left 3rd and 17 at the 29, Roethlisberger scrambled for 18. Mendenhall then picked up 22. The drive stalled, but with 6:19 to play Suisham nailed his 3rd field goal of the game, a 48 yarder to have the Steelers up 16-13.
A strong kickoff return by Leodis McKelvin with a facemask tacked on had the Bills at the Steelers 44. On 4th and 2, Fitzpatrick hit St. Johnson for 10. With 3 minutes to play and the Bills at the Pittsburgh 12 needing only a field goal to tie it, Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Troy Paomalu. The Steelers took over at their own 6 and the game seemed over.
On 3rd and 2 Big Ben Ben hit Mewelde Moore for 8 yards at the 2 minute warning. With 1:53 to play, the Steelers faced 3rd and 7 at their own 25 and Buffalo out of timeouts. Roethlisberger hit Sanders for the clinching 1st down, but before the STeelers could celebrate, offensive holding nullified the play. After a false start, Mike Tomlin took no chances. He ran the ball to bleed the clock and punted. The Bills took over at their own 46 with 46 seconds to play.
Fitzpatrick hit Nelson for gains of 14 and 9. On 4th and 1 from the 31 with 7 seconds left, Lindell came in for a 49 yard field goal try. He nailed it, and the teams went to overtime 16-16.
The Bills had a golden opportunity to start overtime when McKelvin returned the kickoff to the Pittsburgh 48. Yet 3 plays netted only 7 yards. Gailey decided to punt. It was smart, as the Steelers began at their own 4, and punted on 4th and 13 from their own 1. A booming punt had the Bills at their own 34.
Fitzpatrick hit Fred Jackson for 13, and Jackson ran for 13 more to the Pittsburgh 40. Fitzpatrick went deep and found a wide open St. Johnson in the end zone. An offensive lineman jumped into Fitzpatrick’s arms to celebrate the win. Yet the celebration stopped when they realized that St. Johnson dropped it. There was nobody around him and it was perfectly thrown. He simply choked and dropped it. On 3rd and 6 from the 36, Fitzpatrick was sacked for a 3 yard loss. This was just enough to end thoughts of a field goal try as the Bills punted again. This time it was a touchback.
On 3rd and 8 from the 22, Roethlisberger hit Mike Wallace for 17. Mendenhall and Redman alternated carries on 4 straight runs to get to the Buffalo 37. After an incomplete pass, i was back to ground with Mendenhal picking up 8 and Redman another 7. With 2:19 left in overtime, Mike Tomlin brought in Suisham on 3rd and 10 for the 41 yarder. The 7 minute drive and the game ended when Suisham made it. The Bills came close to their 3rd straight win but were a dropped pass short of a shocker. The Steelers got to 8-3. with the hard fought win and the Bills became the first team this season to officially have a losing record and be eliminated from playoff contention. 19-16 Steelers, OT
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans–The original storyline when the season started was Vince Young coming home in the division rivalry game. Then the storyline turned into the war between Young and coach Jeff Fisher. Young tried to apologize by text, and Fisher was right to explain that a real man looks another man in the eye.
Yet all of that seems trivial, as the real storyline for the entire league this week is that Titans Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger his cancer. Dinger is a very respected coordinator around the league, and the news has rocked the league. Tough guy that he is, he will be on the sidelines today calling the plays, and then starting aggressive chemotherapy tomorrow. NFL fans everywhere should keep Dinger in their prayers.
With everything surrounding this game, these division rivals are still in the playoff hunt but hanging on by a thread. The Titans have lost 3 straight and are one game out of the division lead. Houston has fallen apart but are only 2 back. Bob McNair gave Gary Kubiak a reprieve after a strong finish last year, but it may take a Laxarus Act to save Kubiak this time.
With Kerry Collins injured and Vince Young in another ozone, the Titans started the aptly named Rusty Smith. Smith played for Howard Schnellenberger at FAU, making him the coolest Owl in the league. Yet Rusty did not have Owl Eyes early on as an interception set up Houston at the Titans 25 to start the second quarter. On 3rd and 2, short pass to Foster took it down to the one, where Matt Schaub hit Joel Dreesen for the score to have the Texans up 7-0. In the second quarter Schaub led a 71 yard drive that ate up 5 minutes. Schaub tossed a 2 yard touchdown to Andre Johnson as the Texans led 14-0.
The second half was ugly on so many levels. The Texans would add a field goal to lead 17-0. Midway through the fourth quarter Cortland Finneran and Andre Johnson got into a fistfight as both helmets came off with punches being thrown. Both players were ejected as the fight continued with players on both sides getting flagged. The Texans tacked on another field goal. Near the end of the game, the Titans drove deep to try and avoid the shutout. Quinn Glover, who was victimized on the miracle Hail Mary loss a couple weeks ago, redeemed himself bigtime in this game with 3 interceptions of Rusty Smith.
The Texans had their first home shutout in franchise history and snapped their 4 game losing streak. The Titans now have a 4 game losing streak of their own as both of these teams are 5-6 and still in contention for the division. 20-0 Texans
Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins–Brad Childress is still bald and Catholic, but he is no longer the coach of the Vikings. Despite going 8-8, 10-6, and 12-4, this year the team collapsed and he took the fall. With Mike Holmgren as the Walrus and Andy Reid as Walrus Lite, Brad Childress looked like the next generation, Walrus III. Instead he became a punching bag, getting none of the credit for last year and all of the blame this year. Childress is a good man, and his visit to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan was very poignant when he got to see his own son. He deserved better than what he got this year, and hopefully he will be continuing the Walrus tradition on the sidelines again soon. For now, Leslie Frazier finally has his first NFL start.
Donovan McNabb passed the Redskins silly on the opening drive, converting three 3rd down conversions and leading an 83 yard drive that took 13 plays and 8 minutes. It culminated in a short touchdown pass to Davis to have the Redskin up 7-0 as McNabb completed all 8 passes on the drive.
Brett Favre began for the Vikings at the Minnesota 30. On 3rd and 1, Dugan picked up 2. From the 40, a short screen pass to Adrian Peterson went for 34 yards to the Washington 26. Another pass to Vincent Shiancoe went for 13 yards, and Peterson ran for 9 more down to the 4, and then barreled over people on the next run to tie the game 7-7.
After a scoreless second quarter, Minnesota took the third quarter kickoff and went 74 yards in 5 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 43, Favre hit Shiancoe for 29 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the 5, Toby Gerhardt got the touchdown as the Vikings led 14-7.
With 2 minutes left in the third quarter, McNabb went back to pass from his own 5 and was intercepted. The return actually lost 4 yards as Minnesota had 1st and goal at the 9. Favre was sacked and the Vikings wasted the gift, settling for a 31 yard Ryan Longwell field goal to lead 17-7. Banks returned the ensung kickoff 65 yards to the Minnesota 28 as the third quarter ended. It led to a 40 yard Graham Gano field goal as the Redskins trailed 17-10
Minnesota failed to convert on a 3rd and 1 run, so the Redskins got the ball back at their own 31. McNabb quickly went deep to Armstrong for 45 yards. They got nothing more as a Gano field goal from 42 yards out had the Redskins within 17-13.
With 7 minutes left in regulation, Minnesota punted, and again Banks burned them, taking it back 77 yards for a touchdown. Yet an illegal block nullified the score and had the Redskins starting at their own 11. They would punt, as Favre turned to the running game to try and grind down the clock. With 4 minutes left, the Vikings faced 3rd and 5 at the Washington 44. Favre hit Greg Lewis for 8 yards. With 2:25 to play and Adrian Peterson on the sidelines due to an earlier injury, it came down to Favre. The old man scrambled, dove head first, and picked up 10 yards at the 2 minute warning. Washington was out of timeouts as Favre pumped his fists and Peterson slapped Leslie Frazier on the hide in celebration. It was not pretty, but it was a desperately needed gutty win. 17-13 Vikings
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons–This could be a preview of the NFC Title Game. Mike Smith may look like an average non-descript white guy who looks like a guy named Mike Smith, but he has Atlanta with the best record in the NFC. Yet the Falcons are only one game ahead in their division, while Green Bay is tied for their division lead. Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan have been lighting it up.
The Falcons used to be doormats. Now they are have a pair of Matts, quarterback Matty Ice Ryan and kicker Bryant. Ryan led Atlanta down the field to a 38 yard field goal by Bryant to put the Falcons up 3-0.
From the Green Bay 15, Aaron Rodgers hit Greg Jennings for a 30 yard gain. A facemask penalty added 15 more yards on the next play. Rodgers then hit Donald Driver for 17 and scrambled for 11 more. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the 4, Nance got stoned up the middle. On 4th and 1, Mike McCarthy decided to play it safe on the road, as Mason Crosby connected from 22 to tie the game 3-3 and complete the 81 yard drive.
In the second quarter the Packers took over again at their own 15, and Rodgers coolly led them down the field. On 1st and goal at the 2, Rodgers threw incomplete. A run got them closer, and on 3rd and goal from the 1, Rodgers fumbled, and the Falcons recovered for a touchback to keep the game tied.
Ryan made the Packers as he led a 14 play, 80 yard drive that took 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 19, Ryan threw to Mughelli to set up 4th and 3 at the Green Bay 36. Mike Smith decided to go for it, and Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez for 6. From the 26, Ryan hit Gonzalez for 21 more. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Ryan hit…you guessed it…Gonzalez. Only 12 seconds remained in the half as the end zone was finally cracked as the Falcons led 10-3.
The Packers began the third quarter at their own 20. On 3rd and 2, Rodgers hit Jennings for 34 yards. On 3rd and 1, Rodgers found Nelson for 28 yards down to the one. Rodgers took it up the middle on the next play to tie the game 10-10.
The Falcons took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 9, Ryan hit Snelling for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 35, Ryan hit Roddy White for 12 and Gonzalez for 15 more. Turner then ran for 26 yards to the 12, and the fourth quarter began with the Falcons facing 3rd and goal at the 1. A pass completion still left them short, and Smith decided to go for it on 4th and goal. Michael Turner took a handoff off-tackle and went in standing up to have the Falcons back up 17-10.
Green Bay was backed up at their own 7 yard line to start their next drive. Rodgers led them to 3rd and 1 at the Atlanta 41. Rodgers fired incomplete, and with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Mike McCarthy decided to go for it. Rodgers fired incomplete again, and Atlanta took over. On 3rd and 4 from the Gren Bay 38, A completed pass for no gain was fumbled out of bounds. On 4th and 4 Smith decided against the field goal and going for it, as Atlanta punted with 6 minutes to play. Green Bay took over on their own 10.
On 2nd and 15 from the 21, Rodgers hit Quarless for 19. From the Atlanta 45, Rodgers hit Jennings for 15. On 3rd and 1, Rodgers fired incomplete, setting up 4th and 1 at the 21 with 2:11 to play. Rodgers hit Jones at the 3 yard line. Rodgers was sacked and fumbled on the net play, but the Packers fell on it at the 6. Everything came down to 4th and goal at the 10 with 1:06 to play. Rodgers scrambled, had all the time in the world, and fired a laser to Nelson for the touchdown. With the game tied 17-17, Rodgers did his job. Yet a facemask penalty against the Pacers had the Falcons starting at midfield with 49 seconds left in the game.
Ryan hit White for 9 and Jenkins for 4 to the Atlanta 36. On 4th and 3 with 13 seconds to play, Bryant came in for the 47 yard field goal to win it. The kick was good, and the Falcons had the win to be the only 9-2 team in the NFC. Green Bay fell to 7-4. This was a fine football game, and a rematch in he playoffs would be well worth watching. 20-17 Falcons
Carolina Panthers @ Cleveland Browns–With Colt McCoy injured, Jake Delhomme gets the start against his former team. 2 years ago Delhomme had the Panthers at 12-4 and looking like a Super Bowl contender. Then one horrible game at home resulted in a playoff shocker, which carried over into a nightmarish season that saw Delhomme run out of town on a rail. Some say Delhomme is washed up, but he has had too many great games not to be given a chance at redemption. Either way, Jon Fox will most likely be fired in Carolina while Walrus Mike Holmgren is the second most desperate man to fire the coach and take over himself besides Pat Riley. Eric Mangini has the Browns competing, but a loss at home against woeful Carolina would be a killer.
A 26 yard touchdown run by Woodson had the Panthers up 7-0 early on. Yet Delhomme brought the Browns back the other way 77 yards. On 2nd and goal from the 8 Delhomme was called for intentional grounding, but on 3rd and goal from the 19 an incomplete was offset by a defensive personal foul. Peyton Hillis ran it in from 9 yards to tie the game 7-7.
Later in the first quarter Delhomme led a 6 minute drive that covered 64 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 40, an incompelte pass was nullified by defensive holding. On 3rd and 3 from the Carolina 48, another incomplete pass was nullified by roughing the passer as Jon Fox could only watch his defense implode. Delhomme would hit Massaquoi for 19 yards. From the 14, Hillis ran for 9 and then the final 5 to have the Browns up 14-7 to end the opening quarter.
After a Carolina punt, Cleveland took over just past midfield. Delhomme hit Hillis for 21 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 19, Delhomme snuck for 2. On 3rd and 1 from the 8, Delhomme completed a pass to Moore, who fumbled it away at the 2 yard line to kill the drive. Yet Carolina punted again and the Browns took over at the Cleveland 40. On 3rd and 4, Delhomme hit Robiskie for 15 and Massaquoi for 15 more. Hillis picked up 18, and then 6 more for the score as the Browns led 21-7.
Jimmy Clausen would lead Carolina on a couple respectable drives late in the half, but would have to settle for field goals. John Kasay connected from 43 and 42 as the Panthers only trailed 21-13 at halftime.
If ever there was a game where Delhomme was desperate for redemption, this was it. Yet it was not happening in the third quarter as Delhomme was intercepted by Munnerlyn, who returned it 37 yards for a score. Jon Fox decided against the 2 point conversion as the Panthers trailed 21-20. It was the right decision, but would loom large later on.
The fourth quarter began with the Browns at the Carolina 47. On 3rd and 15 from the Carolina 39, Delhomme hit Hillis for 14. Eric Mangini decided to go for it on 4th and 1 rather than try a 43 yard field goal. Hillis got nothing and the Panthers took over with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
On 3rd and 12, Clausen hit Donte Rosario for 14. JImmy Stewart picked up 7, and on the next play broke free for a 31 yard gain to the Cleveland 25. The drive stalled, but Jon Kasay nailed the 43 yard field goal to have the Panthers up 23-21 with 7 minutes left.
The Browns took over at their own 30, and Delhomme quickly hit Hillis for 12. On 3rd and 10 Delhomme again found Hillis for 12 more. Delhomme hit Massaquoi for 13 and Robiskie for 9 to the Carolina 24. The Panthers jumped offsides, but the Browns declined it, preferring 2nd and 1 to 1st and 5. It was not an awful decision, but 2 straight runs left 4th and 1. With 2:42 to play, Mangini opted for the field goal. Phil Dawson aimed it right at the Dawg pound, and the Browns led by a point again. The Panthers took over at their own 31.
On 3rd and 5 at the 36, Clausen hit Rosario for 10 at the 2 minute warning. Clausen was then intercepted by Haden. The Browns had the ball at the Carolina 44 with 1:28 to play. Yet the Panthers had all 3 timeouts and Mangini went unltra-conservative. On 4th and 2 from the Carolina 36, Mangini opted to punt. One minute remained, but the Panthers were backed up at their own 5 yard line.
Clausen hit Goodsen for 11, and on 3rd and 10 found Goodsen again for 32 yards. Clausen spiked the ball to stop the clock with 12 seconds left. Clausen hit LaFell for 28 yards to the Cleveland 24. LaFell was at the sideline, and had to roll over to get out of bounds with 4 seconds left. The play was reviewed to see if LaFell was touched down before getting out of bounds, which would have ended the game. The call stood firm, and the last remaining original Panthers player from the 1995 expansion team came in as Delhomme could only watch helplessly.
The kick started just inside the upright, veered just outside, came back inside, and finally doinked off the upright no good. Jon Fox knows that Jerry Richardson will be making a change at the end of this season. The Panthers are fighting hard, but coming up short. Every time Walrus Mike Holmgren is about to fire Mangini, he wins one. By the length of an upright, the Browns survived again. 24-23 Browns
Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks–Todd Haley has the Chiefs one game ahead in the race for the awful AFC Worst, while former division rival Seattle under Pete Carroll is only 5-5 yet leads by one game in the even more pathetic NFC Worst.
The Chiefs began at their own 28, and Matt Cassel found Dwayne Bowe for gains of 14 and 19. From the Seattle 31, Massel found Tucker for 24 yards and then hit Bowe for the score to quickly have the Chiefs up 7-0. A long kickoff return had the Seahawks starting at the Kansas City 48. Yet a 3rd and 1 run went nowhere and a 4th and 1 decision by Pete Carroll to go for it resulted in an incomplete pass. Cassel moved the Chiefs from their own 38 to 3rd and 6 at the Seattle 20. A swing pass to Thomas Jones lost 5 yards, and Ryan Succop came in for a 43 yard field goal. The kick was blocked.
Seattle punted, and Cassel again moved Kansas City From their own 24 to a 3rd and 1 just before midfield. A critical holding penalty ended things, and Kansas City punted. The punt was blocked by Cox and recovered by Thomas, who returned it 10 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
The Chiefs took over at their own 26 as the second quarter began. On 3rd and 2 Cassel hit Bowe for 5. On 3rd and 5 from the Chiefs 44, Cassell hit Bowe for 22. On 3rd and 5 from the Seahawks 29, Jamal Charles picked up 8. On 3rd and 10, Cassel hit Bowe for 11. Finally, on 3rd and goal at the 1, Smith took it up the middle for the score to have the Chiefs up 14-7. Seattle punted, and the Chiefs again took over at their own 20.
Cassel hit Jones for 11 and then scrambled for 23. On 3rd and 6 from the Seattle 42, Cassel hit Bowe for just enough, and then found Bowe on the next play for the 36 yard touchdown to have the Chiefs up 21-7.
Only one minute remained in the half. Matt Hasselbeck was intercepted, but the Chiefs would fumble it back. The Seahawks had the ball at the Chiefs 43 with 28 seconds left in the half. Hasselbeck hit Brandon Stokely for 12 yards, and Olindo Mare would connect from 43 as the half ended to have the Seahawks within 21-10.
In the third quarter Seattle took over at their own 29, and Hasselbeck quickly went for the bomb. 52 yards later, Seattle was at the Chiefs 19. Hasselbeck hit Baker for the 13 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks down 21-17. Each team the punted twice, and the Chiefs took over at their own 29 with 6 minutes left in the third quarter.
On 3rd and 6 from the Chiefs 44, Cassel found Bowe for 8. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 41, Charles ran for 29 yards. The fourth quarter began with the Chiefs facing 3rd and 1 at the 3. Charles ran it in to lead 28-17. On the next series Hasselbeck was hit and fumbled, and the Chiefs took over at the Seattle 22. Cassel hit Bowe from 9 yards out to have the Chiefs up 35-17.
Hasselbeck was the intercepted, but the Chiefs went 3 and out and punted. Seattle took over at their own 13. Hasselbeck went deep to Ben Obomanu for an 87 yard touchdown bomb as Seattle was back within 35-24 with a full 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Chiefs began at their own 20, and 4 straight runs had the ball at the Chiefs 45. On 3rd and 1, Cassel hit Bowe for 17. Thomas Jones picked up 16 and 7 down to the 6 yard line. Cassel hit Moeaki on the next play for the last touchdown of the game with 3 1/2 minutes left. Pete Carroll may wonder why he left the Southern California sunshine for the Seattle rain, but he can seek solace knowing that USC lost to Notre Dame at home in the rain when the winning touchdown pass was dropped by a wide open receiver. Lame Kiffin wonders why he left the NFL, but actually he was fired. Seattle is still tied for the NFC Worst division lead despite being 5-6. Kansas City leads the AFC Worst with a respectable 7-4 record. 42-24 Chiefs
Miami Dolphins @ Oakland Raiders–For more on the game of the day, go to http://www.justblogbaby.com
Both of these teams are 5-5 and desperately fighting for a playoff spot. The Raiders are only one game back of the division leader. When the Raiders were winning 3 straight I cautioned that while much improved, they were not that good. Yet despite getting blown out last week on the road against Pittsburgh, I am going to say that they are not that bad.
Today is about the quarterbacks. With Chad Pennington out for the year and Chad Henne injured, Tyler Thigpen might get the start. Tony Sparano might go with an injured Henne anyway. As for the Raiders, Tom Cable and Hue Jackson both know that the team won despite Jason Campbell, not because of him. Bruce Gradkowki is healthy, and is getting the start. This clearly shows the Raiders are serious. The Raiders keep looking ready to take the next step, and to do that they have to win at home against a comparable and desperate team. Miami has a tough defense, and the difference between 6-5 and 5-6 is a ton.
Both of these teams are 5-5 and desperately fighting for a playoff spot. The Raiders are only one game back of the division leader. When the Raiders were winning 3 straight I cautioned that while much improved, they were not that good. Yet despite getting blown out last week on the road against Pittsburgh, I am going to say that they are not that bad.
Today is about the quarterbacks. With Chad Pennington out for the year and Chad Henne injured, Tyler Thigpen might get the start. Tony Sparano might go with an injured Henne anyway. As for the Raiders, Tom Cable and Hue Jackson both know that the team won despite Jason Campbell, not because of him. Bruce Gradkowki is healthy, and is getting the start. This clearly shows the Raiders are serious. The Raiders keep looking ready to take the next step, and to do that they have to win at home against a comparable and desperate team. Miami has a tough defense, and the difference between 6-5 and 5-6 is a ton.
In the half a century history of the Raiders, they had never returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. In the memorable Sea of Hands playoff thriller against the Dolphins in 1974, it was Miami who returned the opening kickoff for a score. Yet this time the Raiders had the newest NFL superstar Jacoby Ford. He took the kickoff 101 yards up the middle as the Raiders led 7-0 only seconds into the game. Yet Sebastian Janikowski’s first kickoff was not much better, as it just missed the end zone and went out of bounds at the one, giving Miami the ball at their own 40.
Chad Henne came in the game, not Tyler Thigpen. Henne immediately hit Hartline for 26 yards. Nahmdi Asomugha was playing after missing 2 games with a bad ankle, but he was not at full strength. As for Henne, he played injured, and the Dolphins compensated with many wildcat plays with snaps to Ricky Williams and Ronny Brown. On this drive the Dolphins got a 49 yard field goal from Dan Carpenter to get within 7-3.
The Raiders did nothing on their first actual drive, as the Dolphins took over at their own 35. 3 of the 1st 4 snaps were wildcats, as the Dolphins reached the Oakland 40. On 4th and 1 from the 31, Tony Sparano decided to go for it. Polite appeared to be stopped initially, but ona 2nd effort picked up 2 yards. It proved fatal to the Raiders as Henne went deep to Patrick Cobbs on the next play for a 29 yard touchdown to put the Dolphins up 10-7.
The Raiders again did nothing on their next drive, and the Dolphins took over at their own 13. Henne led an 8 minute drive. Throughout the game, Henne would destroy the Raiders on 3rd down, especially on 3rd and long. On 3rd and 10 to start, Henne hit Duane Bess for 23. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 44, Ronnie Brown gained 8 as the opening quarter ended. Brown then ran twice more for gains of 6 and 7. On 3rd and 6 from the Oakland 31, Henne found Hartline for 19. Despite only leading 10-7, the Dolphins were in total control of the game. Then Henne was intercepted by Rolando McClain at the goal line. McClain returned it to the 11.
On 3rd and 2 at the 19, rather than just get a first down, Bruce Gradkowski went for the bomb and was intercepted. The Dolphins took over at their own 46 and the Raiders defense was back on the field before even really sitting down. The defense continued to come up big as a sack of Henne ended that drive. The Raiders took over at their own 26.
The Raiders tried a wildcat snap of their own, and it blew up spectacularly when McFadden handed off to Reese, who got leveled and fumbled. The Dolphins took over at the Oakland 26. On 3rd and 8, Henne was sacked again. Carpenter came in for a 51 yard field goal, but it was no good. Again, the Raiders had dodged a bullet.
The Raiders took over at their own 42, and speedster Ford ran for 13 yards. On 3rd and 9, Gradkowki threw a high pass that was caught by a leaping Ford. Ford somehow came down, kept his balance, and raced 4 yards for a touchdown. Despite being completely dominated on both sides of the ball, the Raiders somehow led 14-10 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half.
The Dolphins took over at their own 20. On 2nd and 15, Asomugha was called for defensive holding. On 3rd and 7 from the 23, Henne his Bess for 17 and Hartline for 23 more. With 1:48 left in the half, the Dolphins faced 3rd and 10 at the Oakland 37. Henne hit Bess for 18. On 3rd and 10 again, Henne found Bess again, this time for 11. With 13 seconds left in the half, the Dolphins faced 3rd and goal at the 5. Henne finally missed a pass, as a 23 yard Carpenter field goal had the Dolphins trailing 14-13 at the break. The Raiders led on the scoreboard but it was an illusion. The Dolphins had dominated the trenches, and the Silver and Black were going to break dow if their defense could not get some rest.
There was zero rest for the weary. The Dolphins began the third quarter at their own 28. On 3rd and 7 from the Miami 43, Henne hit Moore, who raced 57 yards for a score to rapidly have the Dolphins up 20-14. Sparano wisely decided not to try the 2 point conversion. The Raiders went 3 and out, and the Dolphins began their next possession at the Oakland 44. Ricky Williams picked up 12 before the defense tightened. Dan Carpenter came in and made his third field goal to gave the Dolphins up 23-14. The Raiders again went 3 and out, and a 47 yard punt return by Bess had the Dolphins starting at the Oakland 30. On 3rd and 11, defensive holding kept the drive going. The defense again stopped Miami, and Carpenter missed a 49 yard field goal. His 2 misses from long range were the only thing keeping the Raiders in the game at all.
The Raiders took over at their own 40, and Gradkowki hit Darren McFadden for 15 yards. McFadden carried on consecutive plays for 10 more yards. With 2 minutes left in the third quarter, the Raiders were at the Miami 35, easily in range for Seabass. On the next play Ford got wide open deep. There was nobody near him. Yet Gradkowski was late releasing the ball, allowing defender Clemons to make up ground. Clemons intercepted the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
On the last play of the third quarter, the Dolphins faced 3rd and 8 at their own 22. Henne hit Wallace for 19 yards. One minute into the fourth quarter the Dolphins faced 3rd and 4. This time Henne was sacked and the Dolphins punted. The Raiders took over at their own 20.
Again Gradkowki went to Ford with the bomb, and this time Clemons had good position. Yet this time the results were reversed. It looked like an easy interception, but somehow Ford ripped it out of his hands for a 52 yard completion. A tripping penalty on Miami on the next play had the Raiders at the Miami 14. The drive stalled, and Seabass nailed the 30 yard field goal. The Raiders were getting beaten just as badly as their 35-3 drubbing a week earlier, but somehow in this game only trailed 23-17 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
At this point the defense was exhausted from being on the field the whole game. From the Miami 20, 3 straight runs by Brown got them to the 39. On 2nd and 11 from the Miami 45, Henne hit Bess for 29 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the 18, Brown picked up 3. On 3rd and 3 from the 8, Ricky Williams only gained one yard. On 4th and 2 from the 7, Sparano sent in the field goal team. Carpenter hit the 25 yarder, his 4th field goal in 6 tries. With 4 minutes left, the Raiders were down 26-17.
There would be no miracles. From the Oakland 23, Gradkowski hit Louis Murphy for 17, but on 4th and 4 from the Oakland 46, Gradkowski found nobody. With 3 1/2 minutes to play, from the Oakland 45, Ricky Willims took a handoff and broke free all the way for the final exclamation point touchdown. Gradkowski would get the Raiders to the Miami 39, but incomplete passe would end that final drive as well.
Miami got to 6-5, still in the wildcard hunt. This was a bad loss for the Raiders. 2 weeks ago they were tied for the division lead. Now they are one game behind San Diego and 2 games behind division leader Kansas City. The Raiders beat both of these teams at home, but now have to face them both on the road. Next week they are at San Diego.
Chad Henne was supposed to be injured, but he finished 17 of 30 for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Gradkowski was 17 of 32 for 252 yards and 1 touchdown with 2 killer interceptions. For the second straight week the Raiders could not run the ball at all. The defense was gashed by Brown and Williams for a combined 180 yards on the ground. Miami piled up nearly 500 yards of total offense in controlling the ball for over 41 1/2 minutes to only 18 1/2 minutes for the Raiders. Tom Cable and Hue Jackson have to keep the Raiders fighting hard to avoid an 8th straight losing season. For 2 straight weeks they got their brains beaten in. 33-17 Dolphins
Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears–Walrus Lite Andy Reid is a good coach, but a lucky one as well. He thought Kevin Kolb was the future, but Michael Vick has electrified the league. As for Lovie Smith, he is always about to be fired, yet has the Bears at 7-3, same record as the Eagles. Yet the Eagles look for real while the Bears are seen as waiting to fold down the stretch. Brian Urlacher might have something to say about that at home, and it starts with corraling Vick.
Walrus Lite Andy Reid is a good coach, but a lucky one as well. He thought Kevin Kolb was the future, but Michael Vick has electrified the league. As for Lovie Smith, he is always about to be fired, yet has the Bears at 7-3, same record as the Eagles. Yet the Eagles look for real while the Bears are seen as waiting to fold down the stretch. Brian Urlacher might have something to say about that at home, and it starts with corraling Vick.
Deshean Jackson ran a punt 35 yards to midfield, and Vick Hit McCoy for 11 to set up a 45 yard David Akers field goal and a 3-0 Eagles lead. Jay Cutler started at the Chicago 21, ran for 9, and then handed off to Matt Forte, who rambled 61 yards to the 9. Cutler hit Bennett from the 10 to have the Bears up 7-3. Philly punted, and the Bears took over at their own 41. Cutler rapidly hit Devon Hester for 39 yards and Johnny Knox for the 20 yard touchdown as the Bears led 14-3.
The Eagles took over at their own 35 and Vick hit Calvin for 27 yards. On 3rd and 3 Vick hit Avant for 15 as the Eagles began at the Chicago 19 to start the second quarter. On 3rd and 2, Jackson picked up 3. Vick hit Jeremy Maclin for the 8 yard touchdown to have the Eagles within 14-10.
The Bears punted, and the Eagles took over at their own 41. McCoy picked up 18, Vick hit Jackson for 21 and Maclin for 10 to set up 1st and goal at the 10. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Vick went back to pass, was sacked, fumbled, picked it up, fumbled again, picked it up again, and eventually lost 15 yards. David Akers kicked the 36 yard field goal to have the Eagles within 14-13.
The Bears punted, and the Eagles took over at their own 46. At the 2 minute warning, the Eagles had 2nd and goal at the Chicago 4 looking to take the lead. THen the play of the game changed everything as Vick was intercepted by Harris, who returned it to the Chicago 37. Hester then picked up 13 and Cutler found Bennett for 30. Cutler then hit Knox for 14 and Bennett for the 6 yard touchdown as the Bears led 21-13.
The 14 point swing loomed even larger when the Bears exploded to start the third quarter. Hester returned the kickoff to the Chicago 46. A completion to Hester went for 34 yards, with a horse collar tackle moving the ball to the 9 yard line. Cutler found Olsen for the score as the Eagles now led 28-13.
After a punt, Chicago took over at their own 12, and a holding penalty moved them back to the 6. All Cutler did was lead a ridiculous 17 play drive that devoured 10 minutes off the clock. Matt Forte got things going with a 28 yard run, and Cutler ran for 12 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Philly 49, Cutler found Forte for 6. On 3rd and 8 from the 41, Cutler hit Bennett for 10. A 16 yarder to Forte would lead to 3rd and 2 at the 10. Cutler hit Manumaleuna for 6. The drive would finally bog down, but Robbie Gould hit the 23 yard chip shot to have the Bears safely up 31-13 after three quarters.
The Eagles took over at their own 31, and on 2nd and 5 Vick hit Maclin for 24 yards. The fourth quarter began as the Eagles faced 4th and 1 at the Chicago 31. Vick picked up 2 yards. Vick then hit McCoy for 21. The drive stalled at the 4, and Andy Reid ordered the field goal needing 3 scores. Akers hit from 22, and the Eagles trailed 31-16 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
The Bears punted, and the Eagles took over at their own 24. Vick hit Avant for 22, scrambled for 10, and got 5 more through a defensive penalty. Vick hit Cooper for 29 to set up 1st and goal at the 10. Yet a short pas to McCoy was blown up for a 9 yard loss. The Eagles settled for another field goal to trail 31-19 with 5 minutes left.
Chicago again punted, and the Eagles took over at their own 32 with 4:18 to play. With 1:54 left, the Eagles had 4th and 9 at the Chicago 30. Vick went deep to Captain Morgan Brent Celek for the touchdown. They were within 5 points with the onsides kick to come.
It failed, and the Bears survived. The much criticized Bears got to 8-3 to lead their division by a game while the Eagles fell into a first place tie in their division. These teams may meet again in the playoffs, and it would be well worth witnessing. Vick finished 29 of 44 for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception while Jay Cutler was only 14 of 21, but that was enough for 247 yards and 4 touchdowns. Mike Martz and Lovie Smith have been under fire, but are winning big games. 31-26 Bears
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens–This is another game with a pair of 7-3 teams where one seems for real and the other one, while improved, has padded their record against weaker teams. The Buccaneers would silence a ton of critics by winning this, while the Ravens are very bit as good as the team a decade ago that won it all. A pair of defensive touchdowns last week involving…who else…Ed Reed and Ray Lewis…made a statement. Josh Freeman needed Cadillac Williams to remove what would be intense pressure from the Ravens defense.
This is another game with a pair of 7-3 teams where one seems for real and the other one, while improved, has padded their record against weaker teams. The Buccaneers would silence a ton of critics by winning this, while the Ravens are very bit as good as the team a decade ago that won it all. A pair of defensive touchdowns last week involving…who else…Ed Reed and Ray Lewis…made a statement. Josh Freeman will need Cadillac Williams to remove what will be intense pressure from the Ravens defense.
Defense was the word of the day as this game went exactly according to the script. The opening quarter was scoreless, but the Ravens were winning the field position battle, starting a drive at the Tampa Bay 41. Billy Cundiff would nail a 45 yard field goal early in the second quarter to have the Ravens up 3-0. Later in the quarter Joe Flacco was intercepted, setting up the Buccaneers at the Ravens 36. Josh Freeman completed a pair of 3rd downs but the drive died at the 4 yard line as Connor Barth tied the game 3-3 with a 22 yard field goal in a game that was even less thrilling than advertised.
After 27 minutes of lifeless football, Flacco went deep to Todd Heap for a 65 yard touchdown as the Ravens led 10-3. After a punt, the Ravens took over at their own 45 just past the 2 minute warning. A deep pass led to a defensive pass interference penalty at the 10 yard line. Flacco hit Derrick Mason just before the half to have the Ravens leading 17-3. The final 30 minutes were less watchable than the first 27 as John Harbaugh turned the defense loose.
A series of punts gave the Buccaneers the ball at their own 23 with 8 minutes left in regulation. Freeman hit WIlliams and Winslow for a pair of 11 yard gains, and Freeman ran for 2 on 3rd and 1 from the Ravens 40. On 3rd and 1 from the Baltimore 29, Freeman picked up 4. On 3rd and 1 from the 16, Cadillac Williams picked up 11, and Freeman hit Kellen WInslow for the touchdown on the next play as the Buccaneers only trailed b 7 with 3 minutes to go.
The Buccaneers would not get the ball back as Ray Rice ran for the 2 first downs necessary to end things. It was hideously ugly, but the Ravens improved to 8-3 and a share of their division lead while the 7-4 Buccaneers under Raheem Morris remained one game back in theirs. 17-10 Ravens
St. Louis Rams @ Denver Broncos–This interconference games features the 4-6 Rams, who are only one game out of first place, while the 3-7 Broncos are cellar dwellars and determined to turn Josh McDaniels into Wade Phillips and Brad Childress without the playoff appearances or winning records. To make matters worse, McDaniels has now been embroiled in a cheating scandal involving recording opponent practices in the great tradition of his former boss, the Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick. Pat Bowlen has not said anything, but his once proud franchise has embarrassed him now on and off the field.
The game featured wild swings of momentum. Kyle Orton hit Larson for 11, Brandon Lloyd for 14, and Knowshon Moreno for 18. Moreno then ran for 16. Ball ran for 17 and Moreno picked up the final 4 to easily have the Broncos up 7-0. The Rams went 3 and out and Denver took over at their own 20. Eddie Royal picked up 20, and eventually Matt Prater would nail a 49 yard field goal to have Denver up 10-0.
The Rams finally got going from their 20 as Bradford took them 80 yards in 12 plays over 6 minutes. Amendola picked up 13, and Bradford hit Fells for 10. On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 48, Bradford found Gibson for 8. On 4th and 1 from the Denver 35, Steve Spagnuolo decided to go for it. Stephen Jackson picked up 2. Bradford then found Hoomanawanui for a 36 yard touchdown as the Rams trailed 10-7 after the opening quarter.
Denver took over at their own 20 and Orton found Lloyd for 16 and Jaba Gaffney for 28 to set up Prater from 40 yards out. Prater connected to have the Broncos up 13-7, but then all heck broke loose in the Rocky Mountains.
Bradford led another 80 yard drive, this time going 13 plays in over 6 1/2 minutes. From the 20, Amendola picked up 30 to midfield. On 3rd and 3, Bradford hit Robinson for 11. On 3rd and 9 from the Denver 31, Bradford hit Alexander for 12. On 3rd and 6 from the 15, Bradford again found Alexander, this time down to the one. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Bradford fired for the score to Bajema to put the Rams up 14-13 with 5:45 left in the half
Denver punted, and the Rams took over at their own 29 with 4 minutes left in the half. Bradford went deep to Alexander for 45 yards and then deep again to Bajema for the 26 yard touchdown as the Rams out of nowhere led 20-13. The extra point hit the upright, which would matter later. Denver punted again, and the Rams took over at their own 40 with 2 1/2 minutes until the half.
Bradford hit Robinson for 18 and Amendola for 16 more. Defensive pass interference had the Rams at the Denver 16. The drive stopped at the 10, but Josh Brown nailed the 28 yard field goal to have the Rams up 23-13 with 54 seconds left in the half. Denver then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the Rams the ball at the Denver 23. Josh Brown connected from 37 as the Rams turned their 10-0 deficit into a 26-13 lead going into the locker rooms.
Early in the third quarter Moreno fumbled, and the Rams began at the Denver 31. Jackson picked up 20, and Darby ran it in from one yard out to have the Rams winning in a blowout 33-13 on the road with 9 minutes still to play in the third quarter. Denver would punt again, and the Rams took over at their own 20. Bradford calmly led them to a 4th and 1 at the Denver 27. The Rams were in total control of the game, but Spagnuolo decided to take his foot off the gas pedal. A potential 40-13 laugher instead was a 45 yard field goal attempt. It was no good. The fourth quarter began with the Broncos down by 20, yet at this point the game changed again.
From the Broncos 35, Orton hit Gaffney for 19. On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Orton went deep to Lloyd for a 41 yard touchdown. The Broncos were still in it down 33-20.
The Rams took over at their own 25. From the 30, a 14 yard pass to Gibson with a roughing the passer penalty tacked on had the Rams at the Broncos 41. Jackson ran for 7 and Bradford hit Amednola for 24. The drive stalled, but this time Brown was good from 26 as the Rams led 36-20 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
The teams exchanged punts, and the Broncos took over at midfield with 8 minutes to play. On 3rd and 17 Orton hit Eddie Royal for 24, 17, and 16 for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion attempt failed, but Denver was within 36-26 with 5 minutes left. The Rams would take over at their own 20, run a couple plays and throw an incomplete pass as Denver used 2 timeouts. Denver took over at their own 41 with 4 1/2 minutes left as the Rams used less than 30 seconds of clock.
On 4th and 8 from the Denver 43, Orton found Royal for 17. Orton then went deep to Decker for a 38 yard gain to the 2 yard line. A run lost 3 yards, but Orton hit Lloyd for the 5 yard touchdown as Denver had turned a 33-13 deficit into a 3 point game with 2:35 still to play.
The Rams got the onsides kick at their own 41. Spagnuolo continued to play it very safe, and a pair of runs set up 3rd and 4 at the 2 minute warning. With Denver out of timeouts, every football coach on Earth knows that you do not even consider throwing the football in this situation. You do not even consider anything but running the ball. The Rams handed it off, bled over 40 seconds off of the clock, and punted. Denver took over at their own 34 with 1:06 to play.
Needing only a field goal to tie it, Prater never got the chance. Orton was sacked by Chris Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long. Long harassed Orton throughout the final series as a 4th and 16 pass fell incomplete. Orton finished 24 of 41 for 347 yards, while Bradford was a comparable 22 of 37 for 308. it was Bradford’s first 300 yard passing game. Both quarterbacks had 3 touchdown pass without an interception. The 3-8 Broncos are all but done, and McDaniels may be as well. The 5-6 Rams under Sapgnuolo are actually tied for 1st place in the NFC Worst. 36-33 Rams
San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts is the Sunday night game. These teams have played some memorable games the last few years, as Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning are once again passing up a storm worthy of being NFL MVP. The Chargers under Norvelous Norv Turner again started badly, but have won 3 straight to get to 5-5, only one game out of their division lead. The Colts at 6-4 are tied for their division lead. San Diego has gone into Indianapolis and upset them more than once, as today was expected to be such an exciting game that even Jim Caldwell might make a facial expression.
Almost every time these teams play, the Colts have the better record. Yet somehow the Chargers just seem to vex to the Colts.
The game started like clockwork for the Colts from their own 22. Short passes and a 16 yard completion from Manning to Brown had the Colts at the San Diego 39. On 3rd and 9 Manning hit Pierre Garcon for 10. From the 23, Manning hit Reggie Wayne for 14. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Manning hit Jacob Tamme for the touchdown to have the Colts up 7-0 after the 12 play, 78 yard drive.
Darren Sproles returned the kickoff from the goal line to the 30, with a facemask putting the Chargers at their own 45. A mixture of runs and short passes led to a 4th and 2 at the Indy 10. Norv Turner opted for the field goal. Nate Kaeding connected from 28 to have the Chargers within 7-3.
The Colts took over at their own 20, and Manning threw a perfect pass to Burnett. Unfortunately for Manning, Burnett plays defense for the Chargers. Burnett took it 29 yards to paydirt to have the Chargers up 10-7.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Colts faced 3rd and 4 at midfield. Manning completed a pass to Cooper. Cooper also plays defense for the Chargers, as the Chargers took over at their own 40. Rivers hit Naanee for gains of 20 ad 13. The Chargers reached the 11, but penalties moved them backward. Kaeding connected from 33 to have the Chargers up 13-7. The Colts punted on their next drive, and the Charegrs took over at their own 42. Mike Tolbert picked up 21, and Kaeding kiked his 3rd field goal of the half. The 50 yarder had the Chargers up 16-7.
The teams exchanged punts, and the Colts took over at their own 35 with 1:36 left in the half. Manning hit Tamme and Garcon on a pair of 30 yard strikes as 60 yards in a heartbeat made it 1st and goal at the 5 with a full 32 seconds to work with. Manning hit White for the 6 yard touchdown as the Colts were only down 16-14 at halftime. They had all the momentum, and perhaps this time they would pour it on and handle business in the second half.
Not even close. Darren Sproles returned the second half kickoff to the Chargers 33. Rivers quickly hit Hester for 10, and Gates for another 13. Rivers found Ajirotutu for 16 to the Indy 21 and Antonio Gates for 18 more down to the 3. Yet on 3rd and goal from the 1, Rivers went back to pass and was sacked for an 11 yard loss. Kaeding nailed his 4th field goal, a 30 yarder, as the Chargers led 19-14.
The Colts took over at their own 27. Manning fired complete to Eric Weddle. Unfortunately for Manning, Weddle is another one of those players on defense for San Diego. At this point Manning had 4 touchdown passes, 2 to each team as Weddle took it 41 yards to have the Chargers up 26-14.
The teams exchanged punts, and late in the third quarter Manning moved the Colts from their own 19 to the San Diego 39. Yet on 4th and 4, Manning fired incomplete and the Chargers took over. The fourth quarter began with the Chargers at the Indy 34. Rivers hit McMichael for 12 and Gates for 9, with Mike Tolbert taking it in from 3 yards out to make it a blowout at 33-14.
The Colts took over at their own 34 and fumbled the ball away. Rivers led the Chargers to a 4th and 1 at the Indy 2. Turner decided on the field goal, and the 20 yarder was Kaeding’s 5th of the night to complete the scoring. During garbage time, Manning completed a pass in the end zone to Cason. Cason also plays defense for the Chargers.
This was the worst home loss for the Colts since 2002. After 7 straight years of going at least 12-4, back to back losses have the Colts at 6-5. They still are tied for their division lead, but this is not the same team. They have injuries on both sides of the ball, including Bob Sanders and Joseph Addai. Manning has to throw on every play, and this has led to 7 interceptions the last 2 games. As for the Chargers, they have won 4 straight and are at home next week against the reeling Raiders with revenge in mind. San Diego is home for the next 3 games, and only one game out of the division lead. This may have been Manning’s worst game since he threw 6 interceptions in one game, also against San Diego. Unlike that game, this was an uncharacteristic home blowout loss. 36-14 Colts
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals was the Monday night game. Both of these 3-7 teams are pathetic, as the Cardinals still wish Kurt Warner would come back and Mike Singletary continues to channel his inner Ray Rhodes by yelling and scowling without results. The worst football game is still better than the best baseball game, which is why this game was not canceled.
eric