Go green! Take the greeniacs with you!
Here is the real Obama Solyndra scandal.
eric
Archive for September, 2011
The Obama Cilantro Scandal
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011California GOP 2011 Fall Convention
Monday, September 19th, 2011The California Republican Party had their most recent convention this past weekend.
Here are some musings that will give the event short shrift, which sadly enough is what the national media did.
I attend the conventions despite not being a delegate. I respect that many attend to do the nuts and bolts of reshaping and reinvigorating the party. They have the hard work.
I am there for the cameraderie. I get to see old friends, make new ones, and business network.
Yet one thing is true. The California Republican Party (CRP) is in shambles. New Chairman Tom Del Beccaro inherited a mess, but unlike Barack Obama he is not crying about it.
A reported 1600 people attended. Georgia and South Carolina are much smaller states, and they get up to twice as many people. Texas had nearly ten times as many people at their last convention. 1600 was actually considered good for the CRP. This is pathetic. How can a state with 20 million Republicans get only 1600 people to show up?
Yes, this is an off year election, but the other side never stops working. There is no offseason in politics anymore, not with the stakes this high.
The CRP holds these conventions twice per year, one in Northern California and one in Southern California. Because both areas are so large, sometimes the conventions are held in places far away from everybody, such as Indio (in Riverside past Palm Springs).
This convention was held in Los Angeles, but even that was questionable. The last LA Convention was held in Century City, a wealthy area just outside of Beverly Hills. This one was held in Downtown Los Angeles, an absolutely terrible place to be. The JW Marriott at LA Live is near Staples Center, and it is the worst of all possible worlds: an incredibly overpriced entity in a poor area. The hotel charged for internet access, making me grateful I could just drive home rather than stay there.
Yet as sad as the location and the turnout were, the bigger frustration came in who was…and was not…in attendance.
The opening night dinner featured presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. As always, she lit it up. She received several standing ovations. The theme of the weekend was Republican women, and she kicked it off with a ringing endorsement of conservative values economically and in foreign policy.
The liberal media in attendance could barely contain their contempt for her. After she finished speaking, I heard several of them gossiping and sneering. One reporter from the LA Times, one from the Sacramento Bee, and a couple from some Buzz publication nobody has ever heard of or read could not wait to savage her. I have not read their columns yet, and have left their names out of it until I can confirm that they wrote hit pieces.
The second night dinner featured Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack of Palm Springs. She is an incredibly nice person who asks people to call her Mary. She represents the moderate wing of the GOP, and the big tent inclusion of her shows that the ideological diversity of the Republican Party is alive and well in California.
The California Federation of Republican Women were prominently in attendance, including current President Marianne Hedstrom and past President Kathy Brugger. If it were not for the CFRW, the GOP would not win a thing again as long we lived. The women give the men the desperately needed kick in the pants. They need to kick harder.
Lunches featured Dennis Prager and Frank Luntz, while hospitality suites were represented by the Log Cabin Republicans, the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, the Irvine Republican Council, and others.
The College Republicans politicked during the day and partied at night, with their battle cry being heard throughout the hotel.
“Ole, ole ole ole…get drunk…get drunk.”
They remain a fun bunch.
The Young Republicans settled their turf wars and seemed to finally be united. Time will tell.
Yet while many good people were in attendance, many were not. Most of the presidential candidates ignored the convention. They came to California a week earlier for the presidential debate at the Reagan Library, but had zero interest in the convention. In addition to Congresswoman Bachmann, only one other candidate showed up.
Ron Paul spoke, and his supporters remain savage barbarians. As usual, these dopey college students shouted about fiscal responsibility while being given free tickets to attend. They yelled about revolution up and down the hallways, disrupting vendors and even yelling in the face of one of the bartenders just trying to serve drinks.
Naturally Ron Paul won the straw poll by buying the most tickets. None of the other candidates bought any. Only 900 people voted, and Dr. Paul received about 45% of the vote. Naturally the people from the planet Rapulon will declare a mandate until real returns come in an reduce them to irrelevance.
The remaining presidential candidates simply reminded California how little it matters to them. It is the job of the CRP to change that perception. Tis convention did not do that.
There were no high level Fox News personnel in attendance. In fact, CNN may not have had anybody attend. Outside of local media, there was simply no interest. Except for the right to attack Michele Bachmann, the press showed boredom. This was not Iowa or South Carolina.
There is serious work to be done in California, and the CRP has a lot to do. Yet getting people to care and spurring them into action is proving hopeless. If 1600 people is galvanized, I would hate to see a low disaffected turnout.
The next CRP Convention is in Burlingame in Northern California next Spring. Time will tell if the CRP has a pulse by then.
California is my home and I believe in the Republican Party. I care, and wish more did as well.
To the attendees, including the many volunteers, their dedication in this uphill battle is always appreciated.
eric
NFL 2011–Week 2 Recap
Sunday, September 18th, 2011Last week the NFL kicked off its opening Sunday with the backdrop of 9/11. Flags flew high, and players competed hard and honorably.
Now we continue by just having a regular football Sunday. The emotions will still be high, but in a different way. With that, an entire slate of games awaits us. Let’s play football.
Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints–The Saints came up one yard short last week at Green Bay while the Bears had a surprisingly easy win at home against Atlanta. The Bears played with heavy hearts as Brian Urlacher mourned the untimely death of his mother.
From the Bears 13, Matt Forte ran 42 yards. Jay Cutler found Forte for 18 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Saints 22, Cutler found Cluttis for 10. Intentional grounding set up 2nd and 22 form the 24. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the 15, roughing the passer kept the drive alive. Cutler hit Sanzenbacher for an 8 yard touchdown as the Bears led 7-0. Drew Brees led the Saints right back from the Saints 20. On 3rd and 6 from midfield Brees found Devry Henderson for 12. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 14, Brees fired incomplete. Sean Payton decided not to go for it. John Kasay connected from 31 to have the Saints down 7-3.
In the second quarter, the Saints faced 3rd and 12 at their own 21. Brees went deep to Devry Henderson for a 79 yard touchdown as the Saints stormed in front 10-7. The Saints got the ball back after a punt with a short field at the Chicago 47. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 9, Mark Ingram got blown up for a 2 yard loss. A 29 yard field goal had the Saints up 13-7. The Saints for the ball back at their own 34, and Brees quickly went to Graham for 31 yards. Ingram gained 9, but on 2nd and 1 lost 4. Kasay nailed a 53 yard field goal as the Saints led 16-7 just before the 2 minute warning.
Yet with the Bears facing 3rd and 9 at their own 21, Cutler hit Forte for gains of 15 and 11. Cutler scrambled for 12 and found Forte for 17 more. Robbie Gould hit a 42 yarder as time expired to have the Bears within 16-10 at the break.
In the third quarter the Bears began at their own 34. Cutler found Forte at midfield and Johnny Knox at the Saints 20. 3 incompletions led to a 38 yard field goal as the Bears were within 16-13.
The Saints offense was out of sync, but the Bears fumbled facing a 3rd and 11 at their own 36. The Saints took over at the Bears 29. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Brees hit Robert Meachem for the touchdown to have the Saints up 23-13.
The Saints got the ball back at their own 13, and Brees led a 14 play, 87 yard drive that consumed 8 minutes. On 3rd and 8 from the 26, Brees found Graham for 13. On 3rd and 5 from the Saints 44, Brees went back to Graham for 15 more. The Fourth quarter began with the Saints at the Bears 41. On 3r and 1, Ingram gained 12. On 3rd and 2 from the 12, Brees hit Darren Sproles for the touchdown. Although 12 minutes remained, the scoring was completed. Both teams are now 1-1, as the Saints righted their ship after a slow start. 30-13 Saints
Kansas City Chiefs @ Detroit Lions–The Lions are much improved, but the issue would be whether the Chiefs were as awful as they were last week to be the most rapidly declining team. Matthew Stafford was intercepted, but return man McGraw fumbled it right back to the Lions. A roughing the passer penalty set up a 15 yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson as the Lions led 7-0.
The Chiefs came back from the 20 as Dexter McCluster and Jamal Charles each ran for 24 yards. On 3rd and 4 fromt he Lions 18, Charles came up one yard short and was also injured on the play. On 4th and 1 from the 15, Todd Haley opted for the field goal as the Chiefs trailed 7-3. Kansas City missed a chance to get closer when Ryan Succup missed a 44 yarder on the next series.
A defensive second quarter saw the Lions begin with a short field with 6 minutes left in the half. From the Chiefs 45, Stafford found Nate Burleson for 9 and then went deep to Tony Scheffler for a 36 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Lions.
Cassel led the Chiefs to a 3rd and 4 at the Detroit 29, but was then intercepted. The Lions soon faced 3rd and 24 at their own 28, but Stafford went deep to young for 43 yards. Jason Hanson nailed a 51 yard field goal with one minute left in the half to have the Lions up 17-3. Cassel was intercepted again as the Lions took over at the Chiefs 39. Stafford went deep to Burleson to the 10 yard line. 3 incomplete passes later, and Hanson had another field goal to put the Lions up 20-3 as the half ended.
With 6 minutes left in the third quarter the Lions took over at their own 16. Jahvid Best had gains of 6 and 9. Stafford then found Burleson for 27 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Chiefs 41, Stafford found Best for 35 yards. On 4th and goal from the 1, Jim Schwartz decided to go for it. Stafford hit Calvin Johnson for the score as the Lions led 27-3. The Chiefs fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Lions took over at the Chiefs 23. Seconds into the fourth quarter Stafford found Best for a 9 yard score to make it 34-3.
Seconds later another Chiefs fumble had the Lions at the Chiefs 18. Best took it in from one yard out to have the Lions up 41-3. Cassel was then intercepted, again giving the Lions a short field at the Chiefs 34. From the one yard line, Williams could not crack it in on 2nd or 3rd down. On 4th and goal from the 1, another carry by Williams completed the scoring.
Yes the Lions are a much improved tea and deserve to be 2-0. Yet the Chiefs at 0-2 may be the worst team in football, having been carpetbombed in successive weeks by a combined 89-10. Todd Haley is already on the hot seat after this debacle. It was the biggest win in Lions history. 48-3 Lions
With 6 minutes left in the third quarter the Lions took over at their own 16. Jahvid Best had gains of 6 and 9. Stafford then found Burleson for 27 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Chiefs 41, Stafford found Best for 35 yards. On 4th and goal from the 1, Jim Schwartz decided to go for it. Stafford hit Calvin Johnson for the score as the Lions led 27-3. The Chiefs fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Lions took over at the Chiefs 23. Seconds into the fourth quarter Stafford found Best for a 9 yard score to make it 34-3.
Seconds later another Chiefs fumble had the Lions at the Chiefs 18. Best took it in from one yard out to have the Lions up 41-3. Cassel was then intercepted, again giving the Lions a short field at the Chiefs 34. From the one yard line, Williams could not crack it in on 2nd or 3rd down. On 4th and goal from the 1, another carry by Williams completed the scoring.
Yes the Lions are a much improved tea and deserve to be 2-0. Yet the Chiefs at 0-2 may be the worst team in football, having been carpetbombed in successive weeks by a combined 89-10. Todd Haley is already on the hot seat after this debacle. It was the bigges win in Lions history. 48-3 Lions
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets–The Jets made it look easy early on when Mark Sanchez took the Jet right down the field. Despite wearing their hideous throwback uniforms, Sanchez found Santonio Holmes for a 17 yard touchdown pass. Then Gang Green got into the act on defense, sacking Luke McCown for a safety to have the Jets up 9-0.
The lone bright spot for the Jaguars came when Josh Scobee nailed a 55 yard field goal to get Jacksonville within 9-3. Yet Antonio Cromartie returned the kickoff 46 yards to the Jets 41. On 3rd and 2 from the Jacksonville 21, Shon Greene only got half. Rex Ryan decided to opt for the field goal, and Nick Folk hit the 38 yarder to have the Jets up 12-3.
Both Mark Sanchez and Luke McCown were completing passes to the other team, with Sanchez getting picked off twice and McCown throwing 4 interceptions. With 1:20 left in the half, an interception of McCown set up a 45 yard field goal to have the Jets up 15-3 at halftime.
While the first half was dull, the second half was simply a completion of a blowout. Midway through the third quarter the Jets took over at their own 8 yard line. Sanchez went deep to Dustin Keller for 37 yards. Unnecessary roughness had the Jets moving, and Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for 18 yards. Sanchez hit Keller for the 11 yard score to have the Jets coasting 22-3. Another interception of McCown by Cromartie was returned 26 yards down to the one. Greene took it in to make it 29-3.
The Jets would add a field goal as the Jaguars dropped to 1-1 under Jack Del Rio and the Jets got to 2-0. Rex Ryan declared this a Super Bowl season and Super Bowl teams have to win big in games like this. Today, Gang Green did. 32-3 Jets
Oakland Raiders @ Buffalo Bills–A pair of legends were not in attendance as Owners Al Davis and Ralph Wilson were not there. Al Davis is in his 80s and physically struggling. Ralph Wilson is 92, and this was the first home game he has missed in 52 years as he recovers from breaking his hip. Both of these tough pioneers watched from their respective homes.
The Raiders were also without their top 3 receivers and their tight end, so a heavy dose of running was expected. Hue Jackson began by calling 3 straight passes. On 3rd and 10 Campbell threw a screen pass that came up one yard short as they went 3 and out. Yet Buffalo also went 3 and out and the Raiders took over at their own 33. On 2nd and 10 McFadden took another screen pass 9 yards for 3rd and 1. Campbell snuck for the first down. Yet on 3rd and 9 Campbell was pressured and fired incomplete, resulting in another punt. The Bills took over at their own 14.
Fred Jackson broke through for a 34 yard gain to midfield. On 3rd and 5, Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed a 6 yard completion. An illegal crackback block had the Bills facing 1st and 25. On 3rd and 23 Chan Gailey went to his bag of tricks and tried to have Brad Smith throw a halfback option pass. Smith does play quarterback. The play was blown up for a 6 yard loss as the Bills punted. The Raiders took over at their own 29.
McFadden got to the outside for a 14 yard gain. On 2nd and 6 McFadden gained 5 more. 3rd and 1 saw another quarterback sneak that came up just short. On 4th and inches from the Buffalo 47, Hue Jackson decided to go for it. McFadden gained 4 yards. After an incomplete deep ball, McFadden gained 7 to set up 3rd and 3 as the opening quarter ended. The second quarter saw Campbell throw a jump ball that Denarius Moore somehow caught for 20 yards. From the Buffalo 17, McFadden gained 4 and 3 to set up another 3rd and 3 at the 10. Campbell found Chaz Schillens over the middle to set up 1st and goal at the one. Michael Bush got swarmed and then a play action pass that fooled nobody set up 3rd and goal. Encroachment moved the Raiders closer. Bush banged through as the Raiders led 7-0 on the road after the 14 play drive.
The Silver and Black stepped up big on defense as a 3rd and 10 pass was intercepted by Stanford Routt. The Raiders took over at the Buffalo 34. Again expecting runs, Campbell went to the air and found Derrick Hagan for 16 yards. Campbell found Marcel Reece for 6, and McFadden gained 6 to set up 1st and goal at the 6. From the 4, McFadden went inside, escaped a tackle, bounced to the outside and broke another tackle to get to the marker as the Raiders led 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
After another Sebastian Janikowski touchback was followed by a strong Buffalo drive. Fitzpatrick hit Parrish for 16 and St. Johnson for 19. A wildcat snap to Brad Smith gained 9. On 3rd and 8 from the 14, a pass to Nelson came up just short when Rolando McClain and Michael Huff kept Nelson from the marker. On 4th and 1 from the 7, Chan Gailey surprisingly decided to go for the field goal. Ryan Lindell had the Bills within 14-3. with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half.
The Raiders took over at their own 18, and after a run gained only one yard Buffalo took a timeout to try and get the ball back. Yet Campbell then hit McFadden for 16 yards at the 2 minute warning. Campbell then went deep to Moore for a 42 yard bomb. Bush rumbled up the middle 22 yards just shy of the goal line. Campbell snuck it over as the Raiders led 21-3 with less than 90 seconds left in the half.
The Bills exploded to start the second half from their own 20. Defensive pass interference gained 17 yards, and Fitzpatrick scrambled for 13 to midfield. CJ Spiller gained 7 more, and Jackson broke free for a 43 yard touchdown run. The Bills needed less than 90 seconds to get right back in it down 21-10.
The Raiders took over at their own 14. On 3rd and 9 Campbell found Hagan for 10. On 3rd and 5 from the 30, Campbell found Myers for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Oakland 47, Campbell found Myers for another 8. The offense was clicking, but on 2nd and 7 from the Buffalo 42, McFadden fumbled and the Bills recovered.
Buffalo moved at will as Spiller gained 12 and Fitzpatrick found St Johnson for 9. Out of a wildcat, Smith gained 11 more. Spiller took it another 18 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 7. On 3rd and goal Fitzpatrick fired over the middle to St. Johnson as the Bills were right back in it down 21-17.
The Raiders went 3 and out and the Bills took over at their own 31. Yards game in big chunks as Fitzpatrick found St. Johnson for gains of 13 and 16. Jackson then ran for 29 to the Oakland 16. The fourth quarter began with the Bills at the Oakland 11. Fitzptrick hit Chandler for 10 and Jackson took it in the final yard as the Bills came all the way back to lead 24-21 one minute into the final quarter.
After another touchback, the Bills benefitted when the Raiders were called for a personal foul helmet to helmet hit on an incomplete pass. Fitzpatrick hit Jackson for 12 and Nelson for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 21 with 9 seconds left in the half, Fitzpatrick fired high and incomplete. The 39 yard field goal to end the half was partially blocked as the Raiders had the 21-3 lead on the road going into the locker rooms.
The Bills exploded to start the second half from their own 20. Defensive pass interference gained 17 yards, and Fitzpatrick scrambled for 13 to midfield. CJ Spiller gained 7 more, and Jackson broke free for a 43 yard touchdown run. The Bills needed less than 90 seconds to get right back in it down 21-10.
The Raiders took over at their own 14. On 3rd and 9 Campbell found Hagan for 10. On 3rd and 5 from the 30, Campbell found Myers for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Oakland 47, Campbell found Myers for another 8. The offense was clicking, but on 2nd and 7 from the Buffalo 42, McFadden fumbled and the Bills recovered.
Buffalo moved at will as Spiller gained 12 and Fitzpatrick found St Johnson for 9. Out of a wildcat, Smith gained 11 more. Spiller took it another 18 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 7. On 3rd and goal Fitzpatrick fired over the middle to St. Johnson as the Bills were right back in it down 21-17.
The Raiders went 3 and out and the Bills took over at their own 31. Yards game in big chunks as Fitzpatrick found St. Johnson for gains of 13 and 16. Jackson then ran for 29 to the Oakland 16. The fourth quarter began with the Bills at the Oakland 11. Fitzptrick hit Chandler for 10 and Jackson took it in the final yard as the Bills came all the way back to lead 24-21 one minute into the final quarter.
After the score, Hue Jackson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct due to a new NFL rule. He threw a challenge flag after the touchdown, and that is no longer allowed. All scores are reviewable automatically, so throwing the challenge flag is a delay of the game. This actually helped the Raiders because with Jacoby Ford out, the kick return game was dreadful all day. This time the Raiders actually began at their own 20.
Campbell hit Moore for 10, and then offensive holding set up 1st and 20. Campbell calmly went to Hagan for 25. From the Buffalo 43, Hue Jackson called a double reverse that Moore took for 25 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the 12, Campbell found McFadden for the touchdown. Although the Raiders led 28-24 with 9 1/2 minutes to play, this game was just heating up.
From the 20, the Bills kept making it look easy. Fitzpatrick hit Nelson for 15 and Spiller gained 26. Fitzpatrick hit St. Johnson to set up 1st and goal at the 8. On 3rd and goal, Fitzpatrick fired incomplete. Yet defensive holding on Chris Johnson gave the Bills news life. Fitzpatrick hit Chandler for the 6 yard touchdown. The Bills led 31-28 with 5 minutes to play.
Another terrible kick return had the Raiders at their own 12. Campbell hit McFadden for 13 and Reece for 12 more. McFadden ran for 6 and caught a pass for 7 more to midfield. On the next play Campbell went for the bomb, throwing into double coverage. Al Davis had to be smiling when Moore outjumped both defenders and stole it for the spectacular touchdown. The Raiders led 35-31 with 4 minutes left. Yet in a game with backups on offense, it was the Raiders defense that had no answers.
From the 20, another defensive pass interference penalty added 14 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 43, Fitzpatrick snuck it. Buffalo reached the Oakland 42 at the 2 minute warning. Fitzpatrick hit Jackson for 11. With one minute left, the Bills faced 4th and 3 from the Oakland 24. Fitzpatrick hit Jones for 9. On 2nd and 10, Fitzptrick went to the end zone and Chris Johnson had the interception. Yet at the last moment receiver Donald Jones played defender and knocked it out of Johnson’s hands incomplete. With 18 seconds to play, everything came down to 4th and 1 at the Oakland 6. Fitpatrick found Nelson for the touchdown as the Bills again had the lead by a field goal with 14 seconds to play. The Bills had scored 5 touchdowns on 5 second half possessions, but the game still was not done.
After a touchback, the Raiders had 14 seconds to try and pull off another miracle. Campbell hit Moore for 24 yards as 6 seconds remained. Sebastian Janikowski tied the NFL record last week by nailing a 63 yarder. Yet on the next play Campbell threw incomplete. With one second left, Hue Jacksonw as not going to have Seabass try a 73 yarder. Campbell scrambled around and threw the Hail Mary to the end zone. A receiver and a defender struggled for the ball. It was ruled an interception in the end zone. The Bills had the 2-0 record while the Raiders fell to 1-1. The game was a thriller, and while the Raiders offense was very impressive, the defense has a ton of work to do. Ryan Fitzpatrick is talented, but he is not Jim Kelly and this was not the K-Gun Bills of the 1990s. Campbell went 23 of 33 for 323 and 2 touchdowns with the interception at the end, but the 454 yards of offense was less than the 481 yards the defense surrendered. This was a tough road loss. 38-35 Bills
Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins–Rex Grossman led the Redskins right down the field from the Washington 24 to a 3rd and goal at the Arizona 6. Yet Grossman was intercepted to kill the drive. On the second Washington drive Grossman led the Redskins from their own 19 to a 3rd and 6 at the Arizona 39. Grossman was intercepted again. This time it was returned 37 yards to the Washington 3. Kevin Kolb hit Roberts for 16 and then King for the 21 yard touchdown as the Cardinal had the 7-0 lead.
The Redskins took over at their own 15, and again Grossman had them moving. The second quarter began with the Redskins at their own 47. Strong running had Tim Hightower gaining 4 and 17 and Helu gaining 10 and 7. On 3rd and goal from the 3, a false start followed by an incomplete pass led to a 26 yard Graham Gano field goal as the Redskins trailed 7-3.
Washington got the ball back and Hightower ran for 4, 20, and 3. Grossman found Helu for 33 yards and Helu gained 11 more. Defensive pass interference led to a one yard touchdown pass to Davis as the Redskins led 10-7 with 3 minutes left in the half. Arizona punted, and a 35 yard return with 15 more tacked on for a penalty had the Redskins at the Cardinals 20. Yet on 4th and 2 at the 12, a Gano chip shot was blocked as the Redskins led 10-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter the kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Cardinals the ball at their own 40. Kolb led the Cardinals to a 1st and 10 at the Redskins 18. Kolb was then sacked, and on the next play he was intercepted. Arizona got the ball at their own 10. On 3rd and 5 Kolb found Larry Fitzgerald for just enough, and then went back to him for 24 more. Beanie Wells ran for 25, and eventually Wells took it in from 2 yards out to have the Cardinals up 14-10.
After several punts, the Redskins began the fourth quarter at the Arizona 44. Even with the short field, Washington had to settle for a 23 yard Gano field goal to get within 14-13. Yet the Cardinals came right back. On 1st and 15 from their 27, Kolb went deep to Fitzgerald for a 73 yard touchdown strike to put the Cardinals up 21-13 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Washington took over at their own 27, and on 3rd and 10 Grossman found Jabar Gaffney for 20. A pair of 3rd and 1 conversions led to 4th and 3 at the Arizona 18. With 5 1/2 minutes left Mike Shanahan decided to go for it, and Grossman hit Santa Moss for the touchdown. The point conversion failed, but the Redskins were within 21-19. Arizona went 3 and out, and the Redskins took over at their own 36.
Grossman found Davis for gains of 15 and 4, and then to Moss for 12. Helu gained 11 at the 2 minute warning to the Arizona 22. A 34 yard field goal by Gano had the Redskins up by a point with 1:45 left. Arizona needed one play from scrimmage to fumble the ball and the game away. The Cardinals under Ken Whisenhunt fell to 1-1 while Washington is a surprising 2-0 although both wins have come at home against teams that are average at best. 22-21 Redskins
Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans–Another defensive bonelock awaited in a game with teams that have beaten the daylights out of each other over the years. Both defenses had some success early on as the teams traded interceptions in a scoreless opening quarter. The second quarter began with the Titans missing an opportunity when Rob Bironas shanked a 34 yard field goal try.
A Baltimore fumble set the Titans up at the Ravens 34, but the Titans had to settle for a 25 yard Rob Bironas field goal. Joe Flacco finally got going from the Baltimore 19. Ray Rice gained 11 and Flacco found Pitta and Anquon Boldin for a pair of 16 yard gains. A 31 yard touchdown pass to Ray Rice put the Ravens up 7-3.
Hasselbeck led the Titans 80 yards. A 33 yard pass to Cook set up a 4 yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt, putting the Titans back on top 10-7. Reed returned the kickoff 77 yards to the Titans 30. Billy Cundiff hit a 41 yarder at the gun as the teams were deadlocked 10-10 at halftime.
The third quarter quickly saw the Titans facing 3rd and 8 from their own 27. Hasselbeck went deep to Nate Washington for a 42 yard gain. Ringer gained 12, and Ringer polished off the last 10 to have the Titans up 17-10. Tennessee got the ball back at their own 10, and Hasselbeck led a 12 play, 5 1/2 minute drive. Hasselbeck began with an 18 yarder to Ringer. Eventually Bironas would nail a 43 yard field goal to have the Titans up 20-10.
Early in the fourth quarter Flacco was intercepted, setting the Titans up at the Ravens 26. The drive went nowhere, but Bironas connected from 39 to have the Titans up 23-10. The Ravens took over from their own 17, and soon connected with Evans for 32 yards and Dickson for 16 more. On 3rd and goal from the 6, a false start and an incompletion meant another field goal as the Ravens were within 23-13 with 7 minutes to play.
Yet even the vaunted Ravens defense of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and company had no answers for a suddenly revitalized Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck finished with 358 yards passing. On 3rd and 9 from the 21, Hasselbeck hit Britt just shy of midfield. On 3rd and 6 from the Ravens 47, Hasselbeck hit Hawkins for 7. With 3 minutes left, the Titans faced 4th and 1 at the Ravens 31. Haselbeck hit Johnson for 13. 14 plays and 6 1/2 minutes ground the Ravens down. Bironas added a final field goal with 30 seconds left. The Ravens were a preseason pick for the Super Bowl, but John Harbaugh knows that means winning games against marginal teams. Instead, Mike Munchak got his first win as a head coach in the upset. 26-13 Titans
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers–As tempting as it is to call this a Super Bowl rematch, it was actually a game between a pair of teams who got blasted on the road last week. In the Super Bowl, it was questionable penalties making the difference. In this game Ben Roethlisberger went deep and a defensive pass interference penalty set up 1st and goal at the one. Yet on 4th and goal from the one Mendenhall got stuffed.
Seattle could not move the Ball and Pittsburgh got it back. Mike Tomlin went for the gadget play as Big Ben handed to Emanuel Sanders, who tossed it to Hines Ward. In the Super Bowl it was Randle-El, but the play was the same. From the Seattle 15, Mendenhall ran for 11, 3, and this time the final yard to have the Steelers up 7-0.
Seattle would punt, and the Steelers had a short field to start the second quarter. Big Ben found Moore for 9 and Mike Wallace for 16 more. Redman ran for the 20 yard touchdown to have the Steelers up 14-0. Pittsburgh got the ball back and Big Ben led a 14 play, 81 yard drive that consumed almost 8 minutes. Yet it bogged down at the 3 yard line as the Steelers settled for a field goal and a 17-0 lead at halftime.
The second half was unnecessary and uneventful. On 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 36, Big Ben found Brown at midfield and Wallace for 23 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 19, Roethlisberger hit Ward at the 4. Roethlisberger found Wallace for a 2 yard touchdown to complete the scoring. Seattle lost both road games under Pete Carroll while Mike Tomlin saw his team make a statement after losing badly last week. 24-0 Steelers
Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers–The defending champions traveled to play last year’s worst team. To quote Chris Berman, at least early on “That’s why they play the games.” Cam Newton threw for 422 yards in his first game, but this was expected to be a much tougher test.
Carolina began at their own 15 and Newton made it looked easy. Newton hit Shockey for 23 yards and then 18 more. He hit Steve Smith for gains of 15 and 12. Newton hit Lafell for a 3 yard touchdown as the Panthers had the 7-0 lead.
Last week Randall Cobb took a kickoff return 108 yards for a score. This week he coughed it up, as the Panthers got it back at the Green Bay 26. Newton led the Panthers to a 4th and 1 at the 2. Ron Rivera played it safe on the road and took the points as the chip shot field goal had Carolina up 10-0 before Green Bay could run an offensive play.
In the second quarter Newton led the Panthers again. While the drive stalled at the Green Bay 15, Olindo Mare connected from 33 as the Panthers led 13-0 in a stunner. With Carolina in total control and the Packers facing 3rd and 7 at their own 23, Aaron Rodgers found Finley for 39 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 29, Rodgers found Finley for 6. Another 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 14 meant another non-run up the middle for pass happy Mike McCarthy, although it did go to to running back Ryan Grant. The 8 yard gain led to a one yard touchdown run by Kuhn. The defenses settled in as the Panthers led 13-7 at the half.
The third quarter was all Green Bay. Starks began with runs of 8, 1, and 14. Rodgers scrambled for 8 and then went deep to Greg Jennings for a 49 yard touchdown to put the Packers up 14-13.
Cam Newton threw for 432 yards last week in his very first pro game. By the end of his second game, he would have thrown for another 422 yards. While he will not end up with 6400 yards passing, this is still a shock to the system of those who want to give new quarterbacks clipboards. Newton would throw three interceptions in this game, but he is still a phenom. An interception in the third quarter set up Green Bay at the Carolina 20. A field goal had the Packers up 17-13.
Newton then hit Steve Smith for a 25 yard gain, but Smith fumbled it away at the Green Bay 32. Starks quickly ripped off a 40 yard run. On 3rd and 7 from the Carolina 25, Rodgers hit Finley for 17. Rodgers fired incomplete on 3rd and goal at the 1. Mike McCarthy decided not to gamble, and Mason Crosby tacked on the field goal to make it 20-13 Packers.
Another interception of Newton had the Packers just past midfield. A personal foul moved the Packers closer. Yet from the Carolina 13, a sack of Rodgers ended the drive as Crosby kicked another field goal to have the Packers up 23-13.
From the 20, Newton found Stewart for a gain of 21 as the third quarter ended. On 3rd and 9 from the Packers 35, Newton hit Stewart for 12 and Jeremy Shockey for 15 more. Yet a pair of incompletions from the 3 yard line meant another field goal as Olindo Mare got the Panthers within 23-16 with 10 minutes left in regulation.
Carolina got the ball back midway through the fourth quarter at their own 32. A sack set up 3rd and 22 at the Carolina 20. Newton went to LaFell for 32 yards and Steve Smith for 21 more. Newton then hit Stewart for another 15 and LaFell for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the 3, Newton was sacked for a 3 yard loss. With 4 minutes left, Ron Rivera had no choice but to go for it on 4th and 4 from the 6. Newton scrambled but came up one yard short.
From the 4, Starks ran for 12. Rodgers then found Jordy Nelson for a game changing 84 yard touchdown. The 14 point swing took a potential tie game and instead had the Packers up 30-16. Newton kept firing, and with just over 2 minutes to play led the Panthers from their own 17 to a 4 yard touchdown scramble. A 62 yard bomb to Steve Smith gave Carolina a chance. The touchdown had the Panthers within 7, but the onsides kick failed.
The Panthers might be the most exciting team coming off a 2-14 season in league history. Eve at 0-2, better days are ahead. Green Bay got to 2-0, but it has not been easy. Despite Carolina losing, this is still why they play the games. 30-23 Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Minnesota Vikings–Last week Donovon McNabb had a miserable start to his Minnesota career, throwing for only 39 yards. Yet from the Minnesota 10, he moved the Vikings. On 3rd and 5 he hit Percy Harvin for 11. A solid ground game helped him, as Adrian Peterson gained 12 and Tony Gerhart ran around the end for 31 yards. McNabb would hit Harvin for 11 more, and on 3rd and goal from the 1, Peterson took it in for the score to have the Vikings up 7-0.
In the second quarter McNabb led another long drive. On 3rd and 12 from the Vikings 36, McNabb scrambled for 13. A 19 yard pass to Harvin and a 15 yarder to Vincente Shiancoe had the Vikings at the 6. The drive stalled at the 4 but Ryan Lindell put the Vikings up 10-0.
Tampa Bay had no offense, and the Vikings took over at their own 25 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half. McNabb found Rudolph for 15 and Peterson ran for 19. On 3rd and 16 from the Bucs 46, McNab found Toby Gerhart for 42 yards. After a sack, Peterson ran 9 yards for the score as the Vikings led 17-0 at halftime.
Whatever happened at halftime will be a fairytale in Tampa Bay and a nightmare in Minnesota for years to come. The Vikings punted, and the Bucs took over at the Minnesota 44. Freeman hit Stocker for 17, and Blount then raced the final 27 as the Buccaneers got to within 17-7. Raheem Morris called a perfectly executed onsides kick as Tampa Bay retained possession. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Bucs 12, Freeman was intercepted in the end zone.
Minnesota had virtually no offense in the second half, as the Buccaneers took over at their own 30. On 3rd and 17, Tampa Bay fumbled it away, but offsides gave the Buccaneers new life. On 3rd and 12, Freeman found Parker for 51 yards. A 36 yard Connor Barth field goal had the Buccaneers trailing 17-10 after three quarters.
From the Minnesota 20, McNabb finally moved the Vikings. A 23 yard defensive pass interference penalty followed by a 10 yard end around by Harvin had the Vikings at the Bucs 20. The drive stalled at the 11, but Ryan Longwell connected from 29 as the Vikings had a 20-10 lead with less than 10 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, the Bucaneers faced 3rd and 2. Freeman gained just enough. On 3rd and 1 from the 39, Freeman gained 2. A 19 yard pass to Briscoe with 15 more for roughing the passer tacked on had the Buccaneers at the Minnesota 25. Freeman went deep to Benn for the score on the next play as the Buccaneers were only down 20-17 with 6 1/2 minutes to play. Minnesota could not move the ball as the Buccaneers got the ball back at their own 39 with 4 minutes left.
Freeman hit Parker for a pair of 9 yard gains and Kellen Winslow for 14 more to the Vikings 29. At the 2 minute warning the Bucs had reached the 16. On 3rd and 4 from the 10, Freeman found Parker for just enough. Blount carried it the final 4 yards as the Buccaneers had the 4 point lead with 35 seconds to play. Percy Harvin fumbled the ensuing kickoff, pinning the Vikings back at their own 10. It was too much to overcome as the Vikings fell to 0-2. Leslie Frazier will start hearing calls that McNabb is washed up. As for the Buccaneers, so far we do not know what to expect from them from week to week. This week they showed plenty of character and heart. Minnesota showed neither. 24-20 Buccaneers
Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis Colts–While the Colts without Manning looked awful last week, a Cleveland team that lost at home to equally awful Cincy should not have been favored on the road. Kerry Collins can play football, and he led Indy to a field goal on their opening drive. At the start of the second quarter a 3rd and 1 at the Cleveland 9 failed to convert. Jim Caldwell, who is all personality, decided to settle for another field goal as Adam Vinatieri put the Colts up 6-0.
Yet Josh Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards to the Indy 45. On 3rd and 1 Peyton Hillis got stuffed, but Fritz Shurmur decided to summon up his inner potential Walrus by going for it. Colt McCoy snuck across. After hitting Hillis for 19, the Browns faced 3rd and 7 at the Colts 22. McCoy found Massaquoi for 8. On 3rd and 12 from the 16, McCoy found Moore for the score as the Browns led 7-6.
From the Indy 32, Collins found Joseph Addai for 12. Like Manning, Collins operated out of the no huddle. Several short gains led to a 52 yard field goal by Vinatieri. The Colts led 9-7, but field goals are not touchdowns.
From the 20, McCoy led the Browns. On 3rd and 2, McCoy hit Massaquoi for 9. At the 2 minute warning, facing 3rd and 8 from the Cleveland 39, McCoy found Joshua Cribbs for 25. McCoy found Smith for 7 and Massaquoi for 28 down to the one. Manning was out, but another Peyton was in as Hillis took it in the end zone to give the Browns the 14-9 lead on the road at intermission.
In the third quarter McCoy led the Browns from their 20 to the Indy 44, but a Hillis fumble gave it away. The Colts took over at their own 40, and Addai caught an 8 yard pass and then ran for 5, 15, and 7. Carter took over and ran for 7 and 12 to set up 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 13. Carter lost 5 and Colins fired incomplete as a fourth Vinatieri field goal had the Colts down 14-12.
On the last play of the third quarter, facing 3rd and 13 at the Indy 28, Collins was intercepted by Young, who returned it 28 yards. The Browns began the fourth quarter at the Indy 21. On 3rd and 4 McCoy found Little for 11. Yet the drive stopped at the 2 yard line. On 4th and goal Fritz Shurmur opted for the field goal. Original Dawg Phil Dawson hit it to put the Browns up 17-12.
The defenses dug in, but a tight game was broken open with 5 minutes left when the Colts punted and Cribbs returned it 43 yards to the Colts 28. On 3rd and 6, Hillis ran for the 24 yard touchdown to put the Browns up 24-12 with 4 minutes left. Collins was then hit and fumbled on the next series, giving the Browns the ball at the Cleveland 14. Hillis carried for 5, 3, and 1, but on 4th and 1 from the 5, Shurmur again opted for the field goal. With 3 minutes left the Browns led 27-12.
Collins would throw a garbage time touchdown pass as Indianapolis finally got in the end zone with 28 seconds to play. The onsides kick failed, and the Browns had the road win. Mike Holmgren is a happy President Walrus as the Browns got to 1-1. Yet the always grump Bill Polian knows that his team is a mess. Jim Caldwell is so worried he may make a facial expression. The Colts are 0-2, and it is clearly time to panic. 27-19 Browns
Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers–This game mattered in the early 1990s. Jim Harbaugh won his coaching debut last week and had a second straight home game. Dallas lost a heartbreaker with a fourth quarter meltdown that especially fell on Tony Romo. Dallas was on the road again against a familiar foe.
Romo went right to work, leading Dallas from their own 20 on a drive that took half of the opening quarter. On 3rd and 1 from the Frisco 3, Romo fired incomplete. Jason Garrett decided not to go for it, yet Bailey somehow missed a 21 yard field goal as the game remained scoreless throughout the first quarter.
In the second quarter from the Dallas 41 on 3rd and 10, another much maligned quarterback in Alex Smith found last week’s hero Ted Ginn for 14. Smith then went deep, and defensive pass interference placed the ball on the one. Frank Gore took it in and the 49ers led 7-0. Ginn then took a punt 20 yards as the 49ers took over at the Dallas 48. On 3rd and 5 Smith found Morgan for 12. On 3rd and 5 from the Dallas 26, Smith found Morgan again for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the 12, Smith found Kevin Williams for the score as the 49ers led 14-0.
With 3 minutes left in the half after some punts, the Cowboys took over at their own 29. Romo found Miles Austin for 12. On 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 47, Romo found Miles Austin for 53 yard touchdown to get the Cowboys on the board trailing 14-7 at the half. Last year Romo missed the final 10 games with an injured clavicle as Jon Kitna led the team. In the second half it was Kitna coming in again for a hurt Romo. Alex Smith was intercepted, giving the Cowboys the ball at the Frisco 18. Kitna found Austin for a 5 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14.
With one minute left in the third quarter, the Cowboys faced 3rd and 5 at their own 34. Kitna was intercepted, and the 49ers took over at the Dallas 29. Smith needed only one play to go deep to Walker to put the 49ers up 21-14.
The Cowboys began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 18 at their own 12 when Romo fumbled. Dallas retained possession and punted, giving the 49ers the ball at the Dallas 46. On 4th and 1 from the 37, with 11 minutes left, Jim Harbaugh decided to have veteran kicker David Akers try a 55 yard field goal. Akers hit it, as the 49ers had some breathing room up 24-14. Last week Romo was pilloried for blowing the late lead. This week he needed to overcome a late deficit.
After getting sacked, Romo found Ogletree for 17 yards and then Miles Austin for 25 more to the Frisco 39. On 4th and 5 from the 34, Jason Garrett opted against the 52 yard field goal with 7 minutes left since his kicker had missed a 21 yarder. Romo found Jason Witten for 9 and then Miles Austin for the 25 yard touchdown as the Cowboys were within 24-21.
The 49ers went backward, and the Cowboys took over at their own 26 with 4 minutes left. A fellow named Jesse Holley was out of football before making the practice squad. He had never caught a pass in an NFL game. By the time the game was over he would be part of Cowboys lore. He caught passes for 11 and 8. Murray gained 8, and on 3rd and 6 from the Frisco 43, Romo found Austin for 7. On 3rd and 2 from the Frisco 28 with 50 seconds to go, Austin lost a yard and fumbled. Dallas was again lucky to retain possession. With 4 seconds left Bailey came in for a 48 yard try. The kick was good and the teams went to overtime.
The 49ers got the ball and ended up punting. Dallas took over at their own 22. Romo went deep to Holley, and he was off to the races. After a 77 yard gain he was caught at the one yard line. Garrett brought in Bailey for a 19 yard field goal, and it was good. After less than 3 minutes of overtime, Romo had his redemption, Smith still had his critics, and both of these teams were 1-1 after the exciting finish. 27-24 Cowboys, OT
Houston Texans @ Miami Dolphins–
Houston Texans @ Miami Dolphins–Both Gary Kubiak and Tony Sparano barely avoided being fired at the end of last year, and Kubiak bought himself some time with a big home win last week against Indy while Sparano saw his team get throttled at home against New England. Miami was 6-2 on the road last year but 1-7 at home.
Houston made it look easy early on from their own 20. Matt Schaub hit Andre Johnson for 5, and Owen Daniels for 10. Arriun Foster gained 14, 2, and 6, and caught a pass for 4. Schaub then found Jones for 31 yards down to the 8. After 12 plays and 5 minutes the drive stalled at the 5. Neil Rackers hit the field goal to put the Texans up 3-0. Miami went 3 and out and Jones returned a punt 40 yards to the Miami 44. Schaub found a pair of Johnsons for gains of 16 and 15, but a run on 3rd and 4 from the 6 only gained half. Rackers hit another chip shot as the Texans led 6-0.
The Dolphins took over at their own 11. Chad Henne found Brandon Marshall for 10 and Bess for 41. Roughing the passer added 15 more. Miami had to settle for a 42 yard Duane Carpenter kick as the Dolphins trailed 6-3. On the opening play of the second quarter from the Miami 9 yard line, Henne was intercepted. Houston took over at the Miami 6 and Schaub hit Daniels from 4 yards out to have the Texans up 13-3.
The Dolphins took over at their own 20 and Henne repeatedly handed off to Thomas. Miami pounded it out on the ground but got no further than the 5 yard line. The 22 yard field goal by Carpenter was blocked, as a 7 minute drive produced nothing. Miami got the ball back at their own 26, and a 41 yard pass interference penalty on the defense led to another short field goal attempt from 34 yards out. This time Carpenter just missed it wide.
Houston took over at their own 24, and on 3rd and 1 Schaub went deep to Johnson for 43 yards. The drive got no further than the 10, but Rackers nailed a 36 yarder at the gun as the Texans led 16-3 at halftime.
After an exchange of punts in the third quarter, Miami took over at their own 38. Operating out of the no huddle, Henne found Marshall for 16 on 3rd and 3. Thomas picked up 14 and 13 and Henne hit Marshall for a 12 yard touchdown as the Dolphins were right back in it at 16-10. A Miami fumble killed their next drive, and their following drive began at their own 9 yard line and went into the fourth quarter. A 25 yard pass to Hartline followed by 3 straight Henne incompletions led to a 34 yard Carpenter field goal. This time he made it, and the Dolphins were only down 16-13 with 13 minutes left.
Manning returned the kickoff 43 yards to the Houston 37. Schaub hit Brandon Tate for 13 and Johnson for 7 more. Tate ran for 16 and 4, and Schaub hit Johnson for the 23 yard touchdown to turn out the lights. 10 minutes still remained, but Miami was overmatched. With one minute left the Texans faced 4th and 1 at the Miami 2. Tate got the first down but not the touchdown. However, a very classy Gary Kubiak had Schaub kneel down from the one rather than run up the score. The Texans are 2-0 and for real, while the 0-2 Dolphins have lost both games at home, look lifeless, and seem to be unable to save Tony Sparano. 23-13 Texans
San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots–
San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots–A pair of perennial contenders faced off again, and the result was the same. San Diego is a good team. New England is a great team. Last week Tom Brady threw for 517 yards. This week New England was at home as the game was dedicated to the late Myra Kraft, the wife of owner Robert Kraft who died a few weeks ago just before the lockout ended.
Philip Rivers led the Chargers to the Patriots 43 but no further and punted. The Patriots took over at their own 8. Brady Found Deon Branch for 11, and on 3rd and 10 Wes Welker for 17. Brady hit Hernandez for 16. On 3rd and 2 from the Bolts 40, Green-Ellis gained 6. On 3rd and 5 from the Chargers 29, Brady went to Chad Johnson for 6. The 14 yard touchdown pass to Hernandez completed the 92 yard, 12 play, 6 minute drive to put the Patriots up 7-0.
Rivers came right back, and on 3rd and 5 from the 25 hit Malcolm Floyd for 23 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Patriots 46, Rivers went deep to Floyd for 36 yards. Mathews ran it the final 10 yards to tie the game 7-7. The Patriots took over at their own 37 and Brady moved them in 14 plays. On 3rd and 3 Brady found Danny Woodhead for 9. On 3rd and 8 at the Chargers 45, Brady found Branch for 17. The drive stalled at the 4, but Stephen Gostkowski kicked the Patriots ahead 10-7.
San Diego took over at their own 24 and a roughing the passer penalty added 15 yards. On 3rd and 3 Rivers found Jackson for 28 yards and Mike Tolbert for 21 more down to the 5. On 2nd and goal from the 2, Tolbert got nothing. On 3rd and goal Rivers got half of it. On 4th and goal at the 1, Norvelous Norv Turner decided to go for it. Tolbert ran into a New England brick wall as the goal line stand kept New England ahead.
Last week Brady threw a 99 yard touchdown pass to tie the NFL record. This time he needed 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes to create a 14 point swing. From the one he hit Welker for 12 and Johnson for 30. After a sack, Brady found Branch for 20. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 35, Brady hit Hernandez for 2. Brady hit Branch for 19 and Rob Gronkowski for the 10 yard touchdown to put the Patriots up 17-7.
The Chargers took over at their own 20 with under 3 minutes left in the half and Rivers moved them with ease. With 19 seconds left in the half the Chargers faced 1st and 10 from the Patriots 29. Rivers was then intercepted by Vince Wilfork. The big man with football lumbered along, as the Patriots took over at the Chargers 47 with 9 seconds left in the half. Brady hit Branch for quick gains of 11 and 7 as Gostkowski nailed a 47 yard field goal to give the Patriots the 20-7 halftime lead.
In the third quarter the Patriots took over at their own 15 nd Brady found Gronkowski for 30. Brady led them to a 4th and 5 at the Chargers 37. Bill Bellichick opted to punt, pinning the Chargers at their own 6. Rivers led a 6 1/2 minute drive that was completely wasted when a 1st and 10 pass from the Patriots 17 was intercepted. The Chargers had tons of chances in this game and did not capitalize.
The Chargers got the ball back at their own 36 and this time finished a drive. On 3rd and 5 Rivers found Tolbert at midfield. The fourth quarter began with the Chargers at the Patriots 24. Defensive pass interference moved the ball to the 4 yard line. On 3rd and goal Rivers found Jackson for the 3 yard touchdown as the Chargers got within 20-14 only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick played it conservative earlier, but this time on 4th and 4 just past midfield he deicded to go for it. Brady fired incomplete and San Diego took over. Yet on 2nd and 5 from the Patriots 34, Tolbert fumbled and New England got the ball back. Brady quickly found Branch for 33, Welker for 12, and Gronkowski for the 17 yard touchdown. The successful 2 point conversion had the Patriots up 28-14 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Rivers quickly borught the Chargers back from their own 20. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 31, Rivers hit Jackson for gains of 14 and 18. Rivers scrambled for 11 and then went back to Jackson for a 26 yard touchdown as the Chargers were within 28-21 with 5 1/2 minutes left.
San Diego needed one stop to have a chance to tie the game, but it never came. Brady found Welker for 13. On 2nd and 10 from the New England 47, rather than run out the clock, Brdy kept throwing. He found Gronkowski for 29. Green-Ellis ran the final 16 yards at the 2 minute warning to seal the game. San Diego fell to 1-1 while New England at 2-0 is looking every bit as good as heir Super Bowl teams. Rivers was 29 of 40 for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. Yet Brady was a ridiculous 31 of 40 for 423 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He was the unanimous MVP last year and with 940 yards passing in 2 games is on pace for nearly 8,000 yards passing. The pace will slow, but not in time for San Diego. 35-21 Patriots
Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos–
Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos–Both of these teams entered the season expecting to be terrible, yet the Bengals won on the road last week against division rival Cleveland while Denver gave archrival Oakland all they could handle before falling a field goal short. Andy Dalton has showed some promise while Kyle Orton is still trying to fend off the critics clamoring for Tim Tebow.
Orton early on looked good as he led a 15 play, 80 yard drive that consumed 8 1/2 minutes. Eddie Royal started it off with a 14 yard gain, but short runs and safe passes kept the chains moving. From the Cincy 40, Willis McGahee gained 12 and Orton hit Willis for 13. On 3rd and goal from the 1, McGahee took it in to have the Broncos up 7-0.
A thoroughly dull rest of the first half saw Denver fumble in their own territory and Cincy recover at the Broncos 41. That led to a 45 yard Mike Nugent field goal to get the Bengals within 7-3. With 6 1/2 minutes left in the half Orton calmly led Denver from their own 20 to the Cincinnati 8 yard line. At that point Denver moved backwards, but Matt Prater hit the 34 yard field goal to have the Broncos up 10-3 at halftime.
In the third quarter Denver took over after a Bengals punt at their own 41. Roughing the passer was followed by a 25 yard touchdown pass from Orton to Eric Decker as the Broncos seemed safely in front 17-3. From the 20, Dalton quickly fired to Green for 26 yards and then 25 more. The drive stalled at the 19, but Prater connected from 37 to have the Bengals within the 17-6.
Denver went 3 and out and the Bengals took over at their own 28. From the 37, Dalton found Simpson for 31 yards and then 12 more. Dalton then fired to Cedric Benson for 10 and Caldwell for the final 10. The 2 point conversion failed but rhw Bengals were right back in it at 17-12.
Tim Tebow did come on the field in this game, but at wide receiver on 2 plays that he was not thrown to. Yet the Tebow calls became louder when Orton fumbled and the Bengals took over at the Denver 14. On 3rd and 10 Dalton found Leonard for 9. On 4th and 1 from the 5, Marvin decided not to go for it. Nugent hit the field goal as the Bengals were within 17-15. Orton redeemed himself on the next series. Less than 90 seconds into the final quarter, Orton went deep to Decker for a 52 yard touchdown. Denver was back up by 2 scores at 24-15.
Cincinnati did not away. From the 20, Dalton was sacked. Yet on 2nd and 23 from the 7, Dalton went deep to Simpson for an 84 yard gain to the Denver 9. Dalton then found Gresham for 4 and Green for the 5 yard score as the Bengals were back within a deuce with a full 11 minutes left.
Denver went 3 and out, and Dalton with a heavy dose of Cedric Benson led the Bengals to a 4th and 8 at the Denver 39. The winning field goal attempt would be 57 yards, and Marvin Lewis decided to punt with 7 minutes left rather than either kick or go for it. Playing field position seemed to work as Cincinnati got the ball back at the Denver 45 with 5 1/2 minutes left. With 3 minutes left on 4th and 1, Dalton fired incomplete. The field goal attempt would have been 54 yards. These are long attempts, but twice Marvin Lewis did not give his kicker a chance.
The Bengals got one final shot from their own 5 yard line with 2 1/2 minutes left. From the 18, Dalton found Green for 22. With 30 seconds left the Bengals faced 4th and 19 from their own 43. Dalton went deep incomplete, and the Bengals never gave their kicker a chance to win it. Jon Fox got his first win as Denver coach as both teams are 1-1. In only his second game as a pro, Dalton was 27 of 41 for 332 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Orton was a pedestrian 15 of 25 for 195 yards, but he also had 2 touchdown and 0 interception. Most importantly, his team got the win. 24-22 Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons was the Sunday night game, and it was a thriller as Michael Vick came back to face his old team. This could be an NFC Title Game preview as average non-descript Caucasian monthly model Mike Smith faced off against Walrus Lite Andy Reid.
Philly punted twice and Atlanta once as the Falcons began their second drive at the Eagles 38 after Weems took a punt 19 yards. Matt Ryan found Roddy White for 4 and Tony Gonzalez for 15. Michael Turner gained 9, and a personal foul moved the ball to the 2. On 3rd and goal Ryan hit White for the score to have the Falcons up 7-0.
The Eagles took over at their own 16 and Vick hit Jeremy Maclin for 20. Brown gained 11 and Vick found Desean Jackson for 10 more. The second quarter began with the Eagles facing 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 37. Vick hit Maclin for 6 and McCoy ran for 6 and caught a pass for 10. On 3rd and 3 at the 8, defensive offsides led to a 1st down and a 5 yard touchdown to Maclin to tie the game 7-7.
The Eagles got the ball back at the Atlanta 45, and on 3rd and 6 Vick found Avant for 29 yards. Yet 2n and 1 from the 3 yielded 2 failed attempts. On 4th and 1 Andy Reid decided not to go for it since he does not run the ball. The 22 yard Henery field goal had the Eagles up 10-7.
With 5 minutes left in the half the Eagles faced 1st and 15 at their own 25. Vick found Captain Morgan Brent Celek just shy of midfield. Vick hit Steve Smith for 11, nd then a facemask penalty on the defense had the Eagles at the Atlanta 21. With less than 3 minutes in the half, a turning point came on 3rd and 3. Vick was hit and fumbled, and Edwards was big man with football going 64 yards the other way to the Philly 24. Ryan found Gonzalez for 13 and then for the 4 yard score as it was the Falcons leading 14-10 at the half after it seemed the Eagles were in control. Both teams turned it over in the final minute as Vick fumbled again and Ryan was the intercepted. In the second half the offenses opened up and turned a defensive game into a shootout.
Early in the third quarter Vick was intercepted and Atlanta took over just past midfield. Ryan quickly hit Turner for 32 and Gonzalez for the 17 yard score as now the Falcons led 21-10. Yet in a game of big swings, the pendulum was about to reverse again.
From the Philly 30, McCoy went around the end for 23 yards. Vick hit Celek for 8 yards and Maclin for a 36 yard touchdown as the Eagles were quickly back within 21-17. Ryan was quickly intercepted, as the Eagles took over at the Atlanta 22. McCoy ran it in from 8 yards out as the Eagles reclaimed the lead 24-21.
Atlanta went 3 and out, and the Eagles took over at their own 23. Both quarterbacks and their receivers were getting knocked around, and unnecessary roughness on a helmet to helmet hit on a receiver had the Eagles at the Atlanta 46. Philly punted, but Atlanta was forced to start form their own 1. They punted from the 2, and a shank gave the Eagles the ball at the Atlanta 20. On 3rd and 8 Vick found Maclin for 9. Vick was knocked out of the game on the play and later was determined to have a concussion. Backup quarterback Vince Young was also injured, so 3rd stringer Mike Kafka came in. For once, Andy Reid decided it was a good idea to hand the ball off. McCoy took it in from 2 yards out as the Eagles now seemed in control up 31-21. Momentum swung the other way again in this seesaw contest.
From the 20, Ryan needed 12 plays and over 6 minutes to go 80 yards. On 3rd and 12 from the Falcons 35, Ryan hit Gonzalez for 13. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 44, Ryan found rookie Jones for 14 and then Douglas for 15. Ryan found Gonzalez down to the one yard line. Ryan hit Mughelli for the touchdown as the Falcons were within 31-28 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
With 8 minutes left the Falcons took over and faced 1st and 17 at their own 13. Turner barreled up the middle for a 61 yard gain. On 3rd and 4 from the 20 Ryan found Gonzalez for 7 . Rodgers gained 10 and Turner took it the final 3 as now the Falcons had the 4 point lead with 5 minutes left.
The Eagles took over at their own 9. Kafka hit Maclin for 9 and then again for a 43 yard gain. on 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 30, McCoy gained 2. On 3rd and 3 from the 21, a pass to Maclin lost a yard. With 1:45 to play, on 4th and 4 from the 22, Kafka went to Maclin again. It was a perfect pass to a wide open Maclin across the middle. Maclin simply dropped it. It was right in his bread basket and it bounced out.
Atlanta took over at their own 22 with 1:41 left and the Eagles with one timeout. Mike Smith is a lucky man because his clock management with the game on the line was awful. Matt Ryan kept kneeling on the ball despite the fact that running actual plays would have gotten the clock to zero. Instead the Falcons had to punt from their own 18 with 15 seconds left. An intentional safety would have been wise since a blocked punt or a return by Desean Jackson could have been a killer. Jackson had a miracle return last year to end a game. Their punter had shanked one earlier but this one was good enough. Jackson returned it 8 yards. With 5 seconds left from the Atlanta 45, Kafka had a Hail Mary attempt. Mike Smith was a very lucky man as the prayer was knocked down incomplete.
Both of these teams are 1-1. Matt Ryan made it clear who the current leader of Atlanta is. He was 17 of 28 for 195, but had 4 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. As for his predecessor, Andy Reid is holding his breath. Kafka was 7 of 9 in relief, but Vick is the team leader. A rematch of this game would be highly anticipated. 35-31 Falcons
St. Louis Rams @ New York Giants is the Monday night game. Steve Spagnuolo is the former defensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin when the Giants won the Super Bowl after the 2007 season. The 1-15 Rams improved to 7-9 last year under Sam Bradford, while Eli Manning is under fierce criticism despite the Giants going 10-6 last year.
The Giants took over at their own 20 and Manning quickly hit Mario Manningham for 16 yards. Ahmad Bradshaw then had runs of 7, 5, and 15 to set up 1st and 10 at the Rams 37. Manning then went deep and was intercepted, killing the drive. The Rams took over at their own 14.
On 2nd and 15 from the 9, Bradford found Sims-Walker for 23. On 3rd and 11 from the Rams 31, Bradford went deep to Alexander. Alexander got past double coverage and made a diving catch. Yet for some reason neither of the Giants defenders felt the need to touch him. Alexander smartly got up and kept running. He was finally brought down after a 68 yard gain at the one yard line. With former Denver coach Josh McDaniels now the Rams offensive coordinator, he decided to go finesse rather than play smashmouth. A pair of incomplete passes surrounding a lateral run that lost a yard wasted the opportunity and led to a 21 yard Josh Brown field goal as the Rams led 3-0.
The Giants took over at their own 21 and 3 plays led to 0 yards. 2 of those were Manning incompletions as the crowd booed. Yet the Giants got a break when the Rams fumbled the punt. The Giants this time were at the Rams 38. A 3rd and 4 pass was knocked down. Tom Coughlin decided to go for it on 4th and 4 rather than try the 50 yard field goal. Under pressure Manning threw a prayer that Hakeem Nicks somehow caught with one hand. Nicks was out of bounds, but defensive pass interference set up 1st and goal at the 9. Brandon Jacobs blasted ahead for 6, and Manning fired to Nicks for the 3 yard touchdown as the Giants led 7-3.
The Rams took over at their own 26 and Bradford hit Gibson for gains of 10 and 17. On 3rd and 15 from the Giants 41, Bradford went deep to Kendricks for 26 yards. Again he was not touched but fell out of bounds before getting up. Yet on 2nd and 2 and again on 3rd and 2, McDaniels kept calling passes, leading to incompletions and another short field goal. Despite outplaying the Giants, the Rams trailed 7-6.
In the second quarter the Rams began at their own2 4 and Bradford hit Sims-Walker for 33. The Rams were clicking when a 3rd and 8 play at the Giants 25 went wrong. This time it was the Rams standing around waiting for a whistle that never came. An incomplete pass was actually ruled a lateral and a fumble. Boley picked up the gift and raced 65 yards for a touchdown as the Giants now led 14-6.
With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Giants took over at their own 14. The Giants were backed up to 1st and 20, but defensive holding saved them. With one minute left, the Giants faced 3rd and 2 at their own 40. Manning then found Dominic Hixon for 7 before things got very wierd. Manning went deep to a wide open Hixon. Had Hixon caught it cleanly, it would have been an easy touchdown. Instead he bobbled it before finally catching it while falling down. The 31 yard gain set the Giants up at the Rams 22. Manning went to Hixon again in the end zone. Hixon bobbled it several times before finally hauling it in with one touchdown. The acrobatic circus catch had the Giants up 21-6 at halftime.
The uneventful second half saw the Rams again drive down the field and again bog down deep. On 4th and 3 at the 9, a third field goal had the Rams within 21-9. The Giants took over at their own 19 and made it look easy. On 3rd and 6 at the Giants 23, Manning hit Cruz for 10. On 3rd and 6 at the Rams 41, defensive pass interference kept the drive going. On 3rd and 18 at the Rams 32, Manning hit Bradshaw for 23. Jacobs took it the final 9 yards to make it 28-9.
Bradford brought the Rams back again from their own 28. On 3rd and 7 from the 31, Bradford got the Rams 17 yards. On 3rd and 7 just past midfield, Bradford hit Sims-Walker for 15. On 4th and 6 from the 30, completion to Sims-Walker gained 11. On 3rd and 10 from the 19, Bradford finally got the Rams in the end zone by connecting with Alexander. It was too little, too late. Despite the entire fourth quarter remaining, New York Giant football is about 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Between Bradshaw and Jacobs, the Giants bored the audience to death but got the win. The Rams are 0-2 while Big Blue is 1-1 with the victory. 28-16 Giants
eric
Coolio California Saturday
Saturday, September 17th, 2011Before getting to football, nothing says California politics like gangsta rap. After all, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are from Long Beach. Today is dedicated to Coolio, who a couple decades ago said that…
“There ain’t no party like a West Coast party cause a West Coast party don’t stop.”
Anyway, this weekend is the three day California Republican Party Convention from the JW Marriott at LA Live. After all, nothing says Downtown Los Angeles like Republicans.
I would say more but I am fried. In 2003 it took me 20 hours to fly from Los Angeles to Singapore. This week it took me 21 hours to fly from Southern California to Northern California. I went from Los Angeles to Long Beach to Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, and finally to Eureka. The way home was Eureka to Sacramento to Long Beach to Los Angeles. The only thing I hate more than airlines are airport parking lots.
Anyway, I have a West Coast Republican Party to get to. There is plenty of work to do.
eric
Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints (6 1/2)
(Saints Cover)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Detroit Lions (8)
(Lions win but fail to cover)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets (9)
(Jets win but fail to cover)
Oakland Raiders @ Buffalo Bills (3)
(Bills cover)
Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins (3.5)
(Redskins win but fail to cover)
Baltimore Ravens (6) @ Tennessee Titans
(Ravens cover)
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers (14)
(Steelers win but fail to cover)
Green Bay Packers (10) @ Carolina Panthers
(Packers cover)
Tampo Bay Buccaneers @ Minnesota Vikings (3)
(Vikings cover)
Cleveland Browns (2) @ Indianapolis Colts
(Colts win outright)
Dallas Cowboys (3) @ San Francisco 49ers
(Cowboys cover)
Houston Texans (3) @ Miami Dolphins
(Texans cover)
San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots (7)
(Patriots cover)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos (3.5)
(Broncos cover)
Philadelphia Eagles (2.5) @ Atlanta Falcons
(Eagles cover)
St. Louis Rams @ New York Giants (6)
(Giants cover)
eric
September Hate Mail
Friday, September 16th, 2011Yes, it is time for me to publish some more of my hate mail. The way liberals send hate mail is by being too gutless to use their real names. They create fake email addresses because they are too cowardly to step away from their keyboards. Anyway, here are a few uncivilized baboons who disagree with me. Yes, this is how “enlightened” and “tolerant” liberals are in the new era of “civility.”
Say it with me everybody.
These are liberals. This is how they behave.
1.)
ericgolabisadouche
[email protected]
“Eric – suck my big giant balls”
Now that is pure intellect. He spelled my last name wrong and even misspelled the feminine hygiene product he was supposedly comparing me to.
2.)
Bob Steven
[email protected]
“I read your article on Cheney. I am not one of your stereotypically inaccurate "rabid, frothing liberals" (whatever that actually means…. But it does show your clear bias). I have been republican most of my life and now am independent.
Your analysis is not credible. So my question is: "Who do you expect to buy into your litany of falsehood?"
Bush had no justification to start a war with a country that had no connection with 9/11, although they tried to associate the two. It was a needless loss of life to fatten special interests and bankrupt the country, morally and financially.
Please don't do any further disservice to this country by perpetuating the propaganda regarding why we attacked Iraq.”
Since I disagree with this person I am supposedly doing a disservice to my country. Now that is open-minded. Also, his claim of being Republican is false. People make that up to give themselves credibility. Show me a voter registration card and voting history.
3.)
ken cohn
[email protected]
“what pwe cent of you is asswhole I would guess 99”
This fellow might be Jewish, but as we all know liberal Jews are not known for caring about Jews who are non-liberal.
4.)
Brian Kaplan
[email protected]
“Your "article" reads like a high school student's blog. Your opinions are poorly articulated and come off as amteur high school editorialism at best. Stop writting. It is embarasing.”
Stop writting? You mean writing, you illiterate leftist monkey. Also, embarrassing has 2 r’s and 2 s’s. This guy was too lazy to get it right, yet somehow I am the inarticulate one guilty of high school editorialism.
5.)
Tom Connelly
[email protected]
“get the fuck out of CA”
Now this is a civilized guy, and a perfect example of why California is sinking rapidly.
6.)
Rich Carlson
[email protected]
Hi Eric
“Since humans are born bright-eyed, open-minded and innocent, how come you turned out to be such an ignorant shithead?
Thanks,
RC”
So in other words because he uses profanity at Republicans, he is the open-minded one. I can only guess he was born normal but turned into a liberal.
7.)
Ray Snider
[email protected]
Mr. Golub,
“Nice work slipping in the "special needs" joke at a tea party fundraiser. I guess someone there wasn't a conservative or there would have been no notice of the insensitivity of your unique comic stylings. I'm sure Trigg's "grizzly mama" didn't catch it-the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right? I know you are secretly there to observe the continuing lunacy, hypocrisy, and idiocy (all those qualities and NO redundancy!!) continuing to emerge from that crowd of sophisticates gathered in all those cornfields in Iowa and..wherever. Don't worry all the smart people are in on (your mission, man!)it too. Keep letting all those folks think you are "one of them." I'm pretty sure you don't really approve of their judgemental attitudes towards every religion aside from Christianity. I mean all that "undercover, prayer warrior, NAR" talk. Tell 'um that Christianity is the beautiful child of Judaism, and in 3000 years it will only be 3000 years less developed than Judaism..er, maybe just stay away from religion with 'em. Eric, you are a brave soul to go hang out with all those anti semitic people who think jews should just "find the lord." I mean fundamentalists from the religious right should certainly hold views that correspond with the 5500 years of Jewish law, culture, etc.. or at the least respect Judaism. Oh. Every Republican on the ticket is a Christian zealot-except Romney, and he got people GOVERNMENT affiliated health care in Massachussets, and ran state goverment efficiently-Hmmm.. Anything but the black guy with these people. He might be respectful of, hell appreciative of, the contributions of Jewish Americans-but he's a liberal, and that's a dealbreaker! That's almost treason! OK Romney's out, but you got Perry, Bachman, Newt-plenty of Christian Conservatives, so pretend you are not afraid of them. Just keep givin' um more of that clever "special needs" crap, and sending out missives from the front. Semper Fi! Oh yeah-when you figure out which one of these beauties is the lease anti-semitic, the least crazy- let us know, before you bug out. Someone has to let us know who to vote for. Thanks Eric.
Your Buddy,
Ray”
If this guy were any less comprehensible he would be a public school teacher in a district opposed to charter schools. Maybe he got drunk with Al Gore before writing that.
8.)
David Freeling
[email protected]
“What makes a person want to become a lying propaganda machine pushing a deceitful right-wing agenda? Why are you damaging the fabric of our nation with these bald untruths and attempts to rewrite history while saying others are doing exactly what you are?”
Damaging the fabric of our nation? Fine, I won’t mix lights and darks next time and I will go easy on the bleach.
9.)
barbara trevino
[email protected]
“your an ass- plesae move to the backways land of your tea party folks…
we don't want you in our states- go on tote-in firearms with your freinds in the backwoods sir.”
She at least insults all conservatives instead of just me, with enough bad spelling and hostility to qualify for a job in public education. I recommend she be a Vice Principal.
Yes folks, let’s say it one more time.
These are liberals. This is how they behave.
eric
Burn in Hell Jet Blue
Thursday, September 15th, 2011Dear Jet Blue,
I am a rah-rah cheerleader for big business, so if I hate a big business there is no hope. I despise airlines. Yet you are even worse than most of my airline experiences, which means your company should burn in a fiery pit of hell reserved for the very worst.
I attempted to get from Los Angeles to Eureka, which is in Northern California. These cities are in the same state.
Thanks to the way you run your airline, I will be flying from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, bypassing Eureka. Then I will fly south to San Francisco, again bypassing Eureka. Then I will finally fly into Eureka.
A 2 hour flight has taken several flights and 2 days and left me exhausted. Due to the absolute imbeciles that answer your 800 number, the amount of time I spent on hold was just long enough for me to miss another flight.
Your personnel at Long Beach airport are unable to take action without the 800 number phone people, yet the 800 number phone people cannot see what the people behind the counter are doing.
I started out trying to go to Sacramento. You told me I was late. You were wrong. Then you tried to reroute me to Oakland. You screwed that up. I finally ended up in Portland, where I have to get up at 4:30am to take two more flights for a speech at Noon.
I hope God issues a plague on your children and your children’s children.
This has cost me time and money. Oh, and watching tv on the plane may have calmed my nerves ever so slightly, but my tv didn’t work.
Also, move your d@mn West Coast headquarters from Long Beach to Los Angeles. Nobody lives in Long Beach. Los Angeles is an actual city.
Simply put, you are a company by screwups, of screwups, resulting in screwups, for innocent passengers frustrated by your screwups.
Burn in Hell Jet Blue.
eric
Republican replaces the Oscar Meyer Congressman
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011New York Jews vote Republican: World officially ending
The reason why Jews vote Democrat after all these years is because, to quote my friend Larry Greenfield, “they still think it is FDR’s 20th term.”
Another explanation is that they need a medical procedure known as “cranial-glutial extraction surgery” to cure their liberalism affliction.
Yet every once in awhile the Jewish community supports Republicans. They do it quietly because liberals are such bullies that fear pervades those daring to stray from the leftist flank.
Conservative Republican Senator Al D’Amato in 1992 won 40% of the Jewish vote against Jewish Democrat Bob Abrams in a race D’Amato won overall 51-49%. D’Amato was a stalwart ally of Israel, but what also helped him was that elderly liberal Jewish ladies liked his work on breast cancer issues. Breasts are a sexy topic, but cancer is not. D’Amato took time to care about an issue most politicians never discuss, much less male conservative ones.
In 1993 Republican Rudy Giuliani became Mayor of New York City by promising to be tough on crime. Crime was out of control at the time, and he won by a razor thin margin.
Yet neither of those victories comes close to the shocking victory of Republican Bob Turner over Democrat Weprin in New York’s 9th Congressional District.
The seat that covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens is one of the most Jewish districts in the nation, and New York Jewish Democrats have controlled it for decades. Charles Schumer infected it for years before deciding that he could do more damage at the national level as a United States Senator.
His protege Anthony Weiner then took over the seat, although his left-wing tirades against Republicans were stressing him out to the point where he barely had time to be an Internet hound doggie. He resigned in disgrace after it was discovered that the only stimulus package he cared about advancing on America had nothing to do with anything financial.
Yet despite the Oscar Meyer Congressman resigning, the seat was expected to stay in the hands of another heir apparent, Jewish Democrat David Weprin. Mr. Weprin was uninspiring, but that was not expected to matter.
The narrative going around is that Jewish Democrats are finally waking up to the utter disaster that is Barack Obama. His hostile treatment of Israel finally caused Jews to wake up, stop acting like ostriches, and learn who their friends are. The Jewish migration to the Republican Party has begun, and the realignment is well under way.
Conservative Republicans like myself would be delighted by this scenario, except for one small problem.
It is not true.
Two influential Jewish Democrats crossed party lines, and one of them does support the theory of an anti-Obama protest. That would be former Mayor Ed Koch.
Mayor Koch is a Jewish Democrat, and he has crossed party lines before. He supported President George W. Bush for reelection in 2004. He said that he disagreed with President Bush on virtually every domestic issue, but the primary issue in the campaign was keeping us safe. Ed Koch loves Israel, and he knew President Bush did as well. Mayor Koch voted for President Obama but has been critical of his Israel stances while other Jewish Democrats like Weiner and Schumer cowered in the corner. In short, Weiner an Schumer were liberals first and Jews second. Ed Koch knows who he is, and that is a proud American Jew. He is not blinded by leftist ideology, making a crossover vote possible.
Yet with all due respect for Mayor Koch, he is not the most influential voice in that particular congressional district. The one politician everybody caters to in Brooklyn is Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
It may seem hard to believe that one assemblyman is so influential, but Dov Hikind is that big a deal. The Jewish Democrat is willing to cross party lines. When he was set to consider endorsing Rick Lazio for the Senate a decade ago, a panicked Hillary Clinton took her Suha Arafat-kissing lips to Brooklyn and puckered them to Hikind’s feet. He stayed neutral in the race.
One important thing to understand is that this congressional district is not just a Jewish district. It is an Orthodox Jewish district. Secular Jews are reflexively liberal. Orthodox Jews are religious. They are traditional. They do not lean hard left on social issues, and they actually understand that Radical Islamists are more dangerous than evangelical Christians. Secular liberal Jews vote on social issues. Orthodox Jews are passionate about Israel.
Yet that still does not explain the Republican victory, since Mr. Weprin is also an Orthodox Jew. His Israel credentials were not under attack. So how could Dov Hikind not only cross party lines, but cultural and religious ones as well? Why would he abandon his fellow Orthodox Jew and support a Christian in the race?
Mr. Hikind was crystal clear in what mattered to him. Orthodox Jews treat the Torah (Old Testament) as the word of literal word of God. They do not believe in an evolving Torah. They are the religious equivalent of strict constructionists. Despite being an Orthodox Jew himself, Mr. Weprin supported gay marriage.
Yes, as stunning as it sounds, gay marriage was quietly an issue in this race. Most Jews are secular, and support gay marriage. Orthodox Jews are against it. While Orthodox Jews are only 10% of the total Jewish population, they make up a large part of this one congressional district.
So while conservatives and Republicans should be delighted that Mr. Turner won, it would be a mistake to think that this means that the pathetic self-loathing liberal Jewish community has decided to grow a pair and stand up for their own people. They were obedient lapdogs for Barack Obama in 2008 and have been drinking from his puppy’s water dish ever since. He kicks them in the teeth, and they grovel at his feet, blame themselves, and beg him to like them since they worship him.
Jews who actually obey the laws and observe the traditions are receptive to Republican candidates. Yet “Seinfeld Jews” who think that being Jewish means eating bagels and watching “Curb Your Enthusiasm” have shown no inclination of changing.
The Republican Party should absolutely continue aggressive outreach. They should continue working with groups like the Republican Jewish Coalition, a group I deeply believe in and am proud to support.
Yet it would be foolish to misread this one fantastic election as a mass Jewish exodus rivaling the Passover miracle. Israel was not the issue in this race. Barack Obama is still allowed to abuse Israel and liberal Jewish voters because there is no evidence to suggest such behavior would have adverse consequences.
Nevertheless, it is a great day to be a Jewish Republican. Hineni. Here I am. I am Republican, Jewish, proud, and thrilled to see Bob Turner break the liberal Jewish stranglehold on the greatest area in the world, Coney Island in Brooklyn.
eric
9/11/11–The cold reality
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011For those of you tired of hearing about 9/11, please take your head out of the sand. The War on Terror never stops and we can never sleep.
eric
9/11/11–It’s Time, Mr. Giuliani
Monday, September 12th, 2011It’s decision time Mr. Giuliani. Your return on 9/11/11 was another reminder.
eric
NFL 2011–9/11/11 + Week 1 Recap
Sunday, September 11th, 2011“From the lakes of Minnesota”
“Oh My Heavens! Brett Favre has done it again! Vikings win! Oh my Heavens! Oh my Heavens!”
“To the hills of Tennessee”
“Tennessee has pulled off a miracle! There are no flags!”
“Across the Plains of Texas”
“If you’re gonna talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk! How about them Cowboys!”
“From sea to shining sea”
“From Detroit
“The nightmare is over! The streak is over! The losing is over! Lions win!”
down to Houston”
“Andre Johnson is a beast!”
“And New York
“This is why you lift all them waits. This is why you go through the two a days. This is why you do all that (stuff!)”
“I’m not here to kiss Bill Bellichick’s rings.”
to LA”
“On came Marcus Allen, running with the night”
“This is the finest hour in the history of the Raiders. First you get great coaches. Then you get great players. You get a great organization. Then you tell them one thing. Just win baby!”
“There’s pride in every American heart, and it’s time we stand and say”
“I’m Proud to be an American, where it least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
“Never forget Pat Tillman.”
And I’ll gladly stand up next to you, defend her still today
“45 guys who believe in each other can’t lose!”
Cause their aint no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.”
Today is 9/11/11. It is a day to remember those we lost, and honor those Americans keeping us free.
It is also Week 1 of the 2011 NFL Season.
So as flags fly on high and players play hard, let us honor the NYPD, FDNY, and EMTs and their brethren nationwide.
President George W. Bush told us to live our lives. Mayor Rudy Giuliani reminded us that we have the right to live as we please without giving in to the terrorists.
Well this is America, and on this day there will be football. At 8:46am I will be in New York, perhaps even at Ground Zero. At 8pm I am on a nonstop flight from New York to Los Angeles. I left home August 23rd and am finally returning.
Between then is the National Football League. It will not erase the pain, but it will help us heal.
Nothing lasts forever. Even the 4-Ever Man Brett Favre has finally retired for real this time to his ranch in Mississippi. Peyton Manning is out recovering from neck surgery. Yet no one player is above the game.
The first coin has been flipped and the first kickoff has been returned. Let’s play football.
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers was the Thursday night game to kick off the season. The Packers came out from their own 24 in the no huddle, picked up a first down, and saw Aaron Rodgers get sacked to set up 3rd and 12 at their own 35. Rodgers found Donald Driver for 16 yards and then went deep to Jordy Nielson for 36 yards to the Saints 13. On 3rd and 4 from the 7, Rodgers fired a quick strike to Greg Jennings for the touchdown as the Packers led 7-0 after 5 minutes of game time.
The Saints began at their own 20 and disaster quickly struck. A completed pass to Marques Colston resulted in a perfectly placed defensive helmet right on the football. Colston coughed it up and the Packers took over at the Saints 36. Pass happy Mike McCarthy likes his West Coast dink and dunk passes, but in the Super Bowl that was due to having zero running game. Here he employed a balanced attack. From the 21, Rodgers found Finley to set up 1st and goal at the 5. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Rodgers found Nielson again as the Packers led 14-0 with 6 1/2 minutes still to play in the opening quarter.
The pace continued as the Packers took over and Rodgers kept them moving. A critical 3rd and 2 from midfield saw Rodgers hit Finley for an 18 yard gain. On the next play Rodgers found Cobb over the middle. Cobb evaded tacklers and raced for a 32 yard touchdown. 11 seconds still remained in the first quarter as the Packers built up a 21-7 lead. Aaron Rodgers became the first player since Jack Kemp in 1964 to have 3 touchdown passes of the opening quarter of the opening game.
Pierre Thomas gave the Saints a spark by barreling over and carrying several Green Bay defenders with him for an 18 yard gain as the first period ended. Brees then rolled out and found Graham, who caught it at the Green Bay 41. On 3rd and 14 Brees fired over the middle to Colston for 16 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Packers 21, the Saints went smashmouth with rookie Mark Ingram. He did his dad proud by bulling ahead after the initial hit for 3 yards to keep the drive going. On 3rd and 4 from the 12, Brees fired into triple coverage and somehow almost completed it. It fell to the ground, and John Kasay came on for a 30 yarder. The longtime Panthers kicker who was with them when they began as a franchise was retired, when an injury to Garrett Hartley brought him back to the league. Kasay connected to get the Saints within 21-10.
The Packers took over at their own 20 and Rodgers threw a soft touch pass over the middle. The receiver got blasted, and Rodgers decided to go back to hard throwing. After moving at will, this time the Packers went 3 and out. 6 minutes into the second quarter finally saw the first punt of the game, and Darren Sproles made the Packers pay. He burst through the seam, shot like a cannon to the sideline, and outraced everybody for a 72 yard touchdown return. Replay showed a very smart return man on the Saints deliberately avoid contact to avoid an illegal block. The Saints were within 21-17 with plenty of action left.
The game was on NBC, and a special bulleting cut away from Al Michaels to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In another reminder of how 9/11 was conflating with football, reports of a credible threat to New York on the anniversary was reported. The split screen was a harrowing reality check, but the game continued.
Green Bay took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 7, Rodgers found Jennings for 13 yards. On 3rd and 2, Starks gained 4. Rodgers hit Jennings again for another first down at the Saints 28. On 2nd and 1, Rodgers barely got the play off before a run was blasted in the backfield. Mike McCarthy vowed to honor the West Coast tradition and never run the ball in a running situation ever again. On 3rd and 3 Rodgers found Crabtree for 5. Starks then ran up the middle for a 17 yard touchdown, knocking defenders along the way. The 14 play, 80 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Packers up 28-17 at the 2 minute warning.
Brees worked the 2 minute drill, but was sacked with one minute left in the half. The Saints burned their last timeout and were still on their own side of the field. Facing 3rd and 2 at their own 43, a swing pass to Sproles gained 16 yards as the speedster got out of bounds. Yet a pair of incompletions and a completed screen pas that went nowhere set up 4th and 10 with 38 seconds left. Sean Payton opted against a 63 yard field goal as a pooch punt ended up in a touchback. Rodgers took a knee to end the very exciting first half that saw the Packers rack up 276 yards of offense.
The Saints began the second half at their own 20 and Brees put on a clinic. From the 30, Ingram blasted ahead for 9 yards. Ingram gained a couple more. A combination of runs and short passes had the Saints with a 3rd and 2 at the Green Bay 7. Brees went back to pass and was sacked for a 13 yard loss. Kasay came in and hit a 38 yarder as the 6 1/2 minute drive had the Saints within 28-20.
The kickoff went to the back of the end zone, as the new rules were meant to cause more touchbacks and therefore make the most exciting part of the game as boring as possible. Yet some players are too exciting to know that. Cobb took the kickoff near the back line and brought it out. He got past one tackler, and at the 25 yard line was spun around. Somehow he finished being a flying helicopter and got his hand down without his feet touching. He righted himself, never went fully down, and kept churning. When it was all done, a stunned Saints team saw Cobb take it 108 yards to have the Packers up 35-20.
The Saints nearly answered right back as the ensuing kickoff was taken out very deep in the end zone by Sproles. Only the kicker stood in the way, and the angle was enough to force the Sproles out of bounds at the Green Bay 46 after a 57 yard return. A run lost 2 yards, but Brees found Colston again over the middle for a first down at the Packers 30. On the next play Brees lofted a high fade to Devry Henderson. Henderson caught the touchdown while just staying in bounds. Just like that, only midway through the third quarter, the Saints were back within 35-27.
The next kickoff was high and deep and this time Cobb decided not to press his luck, opting for one knee and a toss to the referee. Rodgers would misfire on 3rd and 3 as the Packers had to punt again. The Cheesehead faithful held their breath as Sproles this time was brought down after a 16 yard gain just past midfield.
Brees needed only 3 plays with the last short field, and now he had a chance to tie the game. Brees found henderson for a 13 yard gain. A run gained a few more, and then a very clean game saw a 15 yard personal foul penalty on cornerback Charles Woodson. From the Packers 16, Sproles took a handoff inside and bounced to the outside for 7 yards. Thomas then got stood up just shy of the marker. On 3rd and inches, Brees burned a timeout. Ingram was stopped short, and Sean Payton decided to go for it on 4th and inches. Less than the length of the football was needed. Rather than ram it up the gut, a play action pass saw Brees scrambling for his life 20 yards backward. He was lucky to get it away incomplete as the Saints turned it over on downs.
On 2nd and 6 from their own 10, Rodgers somehow found Jennings for a 23 yard gain. Rodgers went back to Jennings for 14 more and the to Jordy Nelson for another 9. The third quarter ended with the Packers still up by 8 and facing 2nd and 8 at the Saints 40. Rodgers began the fourth quarter by hitting Nelson for 17 yards. Rodgers then improvised in a crowd and threw back over the middle for 9 more yards. With the Packers facing 2nd and 1 at the Saints 14, the Saints took their 2nd timeout only one minute into the fourth quarter. Kuhn gained 4 to the 10, and Starks picked up 3 more. Rodgers hit Nelson to set up 3rd and goal at the 1. Kuhn took it in standing up as the 12 play, 93 yard drive consumed 6 minutes and had the Packers up 42-27 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
The next kickoff was high and deep and this time Cobb decided not to press his luck, opting for one knee and a toss to the referee. Rodgers would misfire on 3rd and 3 as the Packers had to punt again. The Cheesehead faithful held their breath as Sproles this time was brought down after a 16 yard gain just past midfield.
Brees needed only 3 plays with the last short field, and now he had a chance to tie the game. Brees found henderson for a 13 yard gain. A run gained a few more, and then a very clean game saw a 15 yard personal foul penalty on cornerback Charles Woodson. From the Packers 16, Sproles took a handoff inside and bounced to the outside for 7 yards. Thomas then got stood up just shy of the marker. On 3rd and inches, Brees burned a timeout. Ingram was stopped short, and Sean Payton decided to go for it on 4th and inches. Less than the length of the football was needed. Rather than ram it up the gut, a play action pass saw Brees scrambling for his life 20 yards backward. He was lucky to get it away incomplete as the Saints turned it over on downs.
On 2nd and 6 from their own 10, Rodgers somehow found Jennings for a 23 yard gain. Rodgers went back to Jennings for 14 more and the to Jordy Nelson for another 9. The third quarter ended with the Packers still up by 8 and facing 2nd and 8 at the Saints 40. Rodgers began the fourth quarter by hitting Nelson for 17 yards. Rodgers then improvised in a crowd and threw back over the middle for 9 more yards. With the Packers facing 2nd and 1 at the Saints 14, the Saints took their 2nd timeout only one minute into the fourth quarter. Kuhn gained 4 to the 10, and Starks picked up 3 more. Rodgers hit Nelson to set up 3rd and goal at the 1. Kuhn took it in standing up as the 12 play, 93 yard drive consumed 6 minutes and had the Packers up 42-27 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
Mike McCarthy had seen enough of Darren Sproles to last a lifetime, so he ordered a short high kickoff to an offensive lineman. The Saints took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 4, Brees was sacked for a 12 yard loss. For the first time all game, the Saints punted. It looked like another return touchdown but the return man was just barely tripped up at the Saints 40. This time there was the illegal block call that had been avoided throughout, as the Packers were moved back to their own 20. A run up the middle gained almost 10. At this point McCarthy was content to grind it out. When McCarthy decided to try a play action pass, Rodgers was sacked to set up 3rd and 18. Naturally teams running the West Coast offense then throw a 2 to 4 yard pass and expect the receiver to do the rest. The Packers punted, as the Saints took over with 5 1/2 minutes left at their own 24.
Brees found Henderson for 18 yards and Graham for 21 more. Brees somehow avoided a sack to pick up a short gain. An overthrow set up 3rd and 7 with 4 minutes left. A short pass to Thomas resulted in him somehow breaking a pair of tackles to get the first down. Brees then went to the end zone but the play was broken up. Another incompletion set up 3rd and 10, and Brees then found Colston at the 5 yard line. At the 3 minute mark, Sproles got nailed up the middle as the clock ticked down. A pass was batted down to set up 3rd and goal with 2:20 to play. Brees faked a pass and then fakes a handoff before firing to the corner to Graham. The Saints were within 8 points again but only 2:15 remained and the Saints had only one timeout plus the 2 minute warning.
The lack of timeouts necessitated an onsides kick. It was a good one that gave the Saints a chance, but Donald Driver leapt high in the air and grabbed it. From the Saints 43, the Packers ran it short as the Saints took their last timeout. Another run led to the 2 minute warning, as everything came down to 3rd and 3 at the Saints 36. Rodgers completed a short pass for virtually no gain. A field goal would ice it, but McCarthy was not going to try a 54 yarder in that situation. He took a delay of game penalty as the Packers punted with 1:16 to play. Sproles would have one more chance.
The punt appeared down at the one, but the momentum caused the foot to slide into the end zone for a touchback. Brees hit Sproles for 10 and Graham for 12 more as both players got to the sideline. Brees found Meachem at the Green Bay 40and then a diving Colston at the 18. Another pas over the middle was followed by a spike with 3 seconds left. From the 12, Brees rolled out and fired to the end zone. The pass was incomplete, but an obvious defensive pass interference call gave the Saints one play from the one.
Graham took the handoff and sought to airborne. He never had a chance as a green and yellow brick wall stopped him colder than Green Bay in January. It came down to the final play, and in a game of offense, defense made the difference.
Both quarterbacks had 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Brees lit up the night with 419 yards passing while Rodgers was 26 of 34 for 312. This was a fine football game and another outstanding way to start the season. Yet since the league began having the Super Bowl winners hosting the Thursday night opener, those home teams remain unbeaten. It was a tough one, but the Cheeseheads got the win. One yard was the difference. A rematch in the playoffs would be well worth it. 42-34 Packers
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs–The Bills under Chan Gailey began last year 0-8 but went 4-4 down the stretch. The Chiefs under Todd Haley shocked people winning the AFC West at 10-6, but were expected to slide backward with Charlie Weis leaving. Yet even the leaue was not expecting to see the Chiefs fold this quickly.
Kansas City fumbled the opening kickoff and the Bills took over at the Chiefs 26. Ryan Fitzpatrick found Scott Chandler for a 3 yard touchdown to have the Bills up 7-0. Fitzpatrick then went deep to Stevie Johnson. Johnson outleapt the defender for a 27 yard touchdown to have the Bills up 14-0 on the road despite the fact that he should change his name from Stevie to Steve. Stevie Wonder gets an exemption, but Johnson does not. The Bills tacked on a field goal midway through the second quarter to lead 17-0.After another Chiefs fumble, a couple of minutes later Ryan Lindell added another one to have the Bills rolling 20-0.
The Chiefs finally got going late in the half, and with less than 2 minutes left, Matt Cassel fired a short touchdown pass to Jamal Charles to get the Chiefs within 20-7. They would get nothing more.
The levee broke in the third quarter as Buffalo took over at their own 41and Fred Jackson quickly picked up 24 yards. Fitzpatrick hit Chandler from 11 yards out to make it 27-7. The Chiefs punted again and a good return had the Bills at the Chiefs 24. Fitzpatrick hit Jones from 4 yards out as back to back touchdowns had the Bills up 34-7 in the third quarter. Another turnover on a Matt Cassel interception had the Bills at the Chiefs 28. CJ Spiller ran it in from 9 yards out as the Bills blasted the Chiefs in front of the shocked Arrowhead crowd. Forget the cliche about it only being one game. The Bills are much better and the Chiefs are much worse. 41-7 Bills
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens–This game was appropriately delayed at the start due to the 9/11 Memorial in Shankesville, Pennsylvania. These teams have been beating t he daylights out of each other for several years, playing some classic games. Last year each team won on the road and then in the rubber match in the playoffs, the Steelers mounted a furious second half comeback to win at home. Yet despite Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh having teams that mirror each other with attitude and hard nosed defense, this game was lopsided from the start.
The Ravens began at their own 34 and Ray Rice immediately gained 36 yards. 2 plays later, a 27 yard touchdown from Joe Flacco to Anquon Boldin got the Ravens started. With the Ravens leading 7-0, tempers flared and a small fight broke out that even knocked down the ref. Late in the first quarter, Ben Roethlisberger was then belted, resulting in a fumble The Ravens quickly converted. From the Pittsburgh 37, Joe Flacco went deep to Pitta for 29 yards. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Rice took it in as the Ravens led 14-0.
Yet Big Ben came back from the Pittsburgh 32 and led a 10 play 6 1/2 minute drive. Rashard Mendenhall gained 23 yards and Roethlisberger hit Heath Miller for 16 more. On 3rd and 9 from the Baltimore 16, Big Ben found Emanuel Sanders for just enough. On 3rd and goal from the 11 Roethlisberger went back to Sanders for the score to get the Steelers within 14-7 early in the second quarter.
Joe Flacco came back after an exchange of punts as the Ravens took over at their own 16. Rice ripped off a 13 yard gain and Flacco found Dickson for 14 on 3rd and 6. Another 3rd and 6 from the Steelers 40 had Flacco hit Rice for 25. On 3rd and 6 from the 11 Flacco again found Ray Rice for the score to have the Ravens up 21-7 at the half.
These teams play very competitive games most of the time but that was not the case in this game. Last year in the playoffs the Ravens had an identical 21-7 lead but gave it away. This time they salted it away on the first play of the second half. From the Pittsburgh 24, Mendenhall lost 6 yards and fumbled, and the Ravens took over. One play was enough for Flacco to hit Dickson as another score had them up 29-7. The 2 point conversion was icing on the cake. A pair of field goals by Billy Cundiff completed the scoring as the expected slugfest was a blowout.
The key to this game was turnovers, and the normally disciplined AFC Champions under Mike Tomlin were anything but is they turned it over 7 times. The final one had Big Ben getting drilled between two defenders, resulting in a fumble that set the Ravens up at the Pittsburgh 10. That led to the last field goal. Knowing Jon Harbaugh, Ray Lewis and the rest of the Ravens, they will not treat this as anything other than one solid game. These teams meet again in Pittsburgh, and now it is the Steeleres who will want revenge. As for now, the Ravens avenged the playoff loss in a big way. 35-7 Ravens
Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers–Last year the Buccaneers improved under Raheem Morris and Josh Freeman from 3-13 to 10-6. As for Jim Schwartz and the Lions, he has erased the 0-16 Rod Marinelli era as the Lions ended last year 4-0 to finish 6-10. With Matthew Stafford healthy and looking sharp in the preseason, this game was not to be overlooked.
A battle of field goals had the game tied 3-3. Matthew Stafford threw a perfect touchdown pass to Aqib Talib. Sadly, Talib plays defense for the Bucs as Tampa Bay led 10-3 after the 28 yard interception return. Earlier in the game the Lions settled for a field goal after failing to convert on 3rd and 2 at the 4. They again drove deep but on 3rd and 6 at the 10 could not reach the end zone as another field goal by stalwart Jason Hanson had the Lions within 10-6 after the first quarter.
Freeman looked to expand the lead, going for the bomb from the Detroit 46. Yet he was intercepted, and Stafford had his turn after the touchback. Stafford hit Calvin Johnson for 22 yards and led the Lions to 4th and 2 at the Tampa Bay 36. Schwartz decided to go for it, and Stafford then fired a touchdown pass to Johnson to put the Lions up 13-10.
Late in the half the Lions faced 3rd and 6 at their own 20. Stafford found Nate Burleson for 29 yards and Davis for 14 more. From the Tampa 39, Stafford hit Pettigrew for 25 more and then fired an 11 yard bullet in traffic to Tony Scheffler as Detroit led 20-10 with only 1:16 left in the half. Freeman rapidly marched the Bucs down the field, but the drive bogged down at the Lions 13. A Tampa Bay field goal by Connor Barth had the Bucs within 20-13 at halftime.
In the third quarter the Bucs began at their own 20 and Graham gained 9 yards. Yet two more carries failed to get the needed yard and the Tampa momentum stalled as the Bus punted. The Lions appeared to go 3 and out when a 3rd and 5 pass was incomplete, but illegal contact on Talib kept the drive going. Stafford made the most of the second chance. His one yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson was a thing of beauty and had Detroit up 27-13. Yet the fans had a lump in their throat when Stafford hobbled off of the field. Trainers attended to him, and he would later return. Josh Freeman later got hurt and went to the locker room as Josh Johnson came in. Freeman would also return.
Early in the fourth quarter Freeman led the Bucs from their own 8 to a 4th and 1 at the Detroit 11. Again Schwartz decided to go for it and again Graham got the carry. Again Graham got nothing, fumbling the ball and recovering it still one yard short. 81 yards and 5 1/2 minutes produced nothing.
Detroit went 3 and out and the Buccaneers got the ball back at their own 41. Freeman led them to a 4th and 3 at the Detroit 5. This time Freeman hit Williams for the score to get within 27-20 with 1:35 to play, bringing on an onsides kick. It failed, but the Bucs had all of their timeouts. They held and Freeman was back in the game with 54 seconds left. With 8 seconds left, from the Detroit 42, the hook and multi laterals was tried instead of the Hail Mary. The Bucs got inside the 20 but eventually turned it over.
The Lions did not make it easy, but they have now won 5 straight regular season games dating back to last year. It is too early to call them a juggernaut, but a win is a win. The Lions are much improved, and a healthy Stafford makes a big difference. 27-20 Lions
Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears–Both of these teams got beaten rather easily in their own stadiums in the playoffs by Green Bay, and both of these teams want to prove that last year’s regular season success was not a mirage. Mike Smith looks like an average white guy named Mike Smith, while his cousin Lovie is always on the hot seat in Chicago.
An exchange of field goals had the game tied 3-3 when Jay Cutler got going. His 56 yard touchdown pass to Matt Forte in the second quarter had the Bears up 10-3. Cutler moved the ball well but the Bears fell short on their next 2 drives, reaching the 5 yard line and then failing to convert on 3rd and 1 from the 8. In both cases Lovie took the points and had Robbie Gould kick the field goals to have the Bears up 16-3 at the break. In the third quarter it was the Falcons who stalled when Matt Ryan led them to a 1st and goal at the 7 before getting nothing more. Matt Bryant kicked the Falcons to within 16-6.
The Bears took over at their own 8. From the 19, Forte rumbled for 27 yards. Cutler then hit Devon Hester, who took it 53 yards down to the one. On the next play Cutler found Spaeth for the score to have the Bears over Atlanta 23-6. On the next series Matt Ryan got belted by Brian Urlacher, resulting in a fumble that Urlacher returned for a score to have the Bears cruising at 30-6.
A garbage touchdown did not change the lopsided result. After going 13-3 last year, the Falcons already have a loss. As for the Bears, this was not 1940 or 1985, but it was an impressive, decisive win. 30-12 Bears
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans–Despite not having Peyton Manning for the first time in 12 years, Kerry Collins was expected to keep the Colts train moving forward. Gary Kubiak is always about to be fired in Houston, but bringing in Wade Phillips was expected to shore up the defense. Every year the Colts dispatch the Texans to win the division easily. Not this year, not yet anyway.
Matt Schaub early on had a pass that was deflected and intercepted at the Colts 40. Kerry Collins completed his first pass to Reggie Wayne. The Colts would punt and the Texans ran it down the Colts throats despite Arriun Foster not being in the game. The drive would bog down inside the 10 but a short field goal by Neil Rackers had the Texans up 3-0.
Collins was then hit and fumbled, and the Texans took over at the Colts 12. Darrius Moore broke the plane from one yard out after appearing stopped to have the Texans up 10-0. Collins and Jeff Saturday then fumbled the quarterback-center exchange and the Texans took over at the Indy 20. Tate ran it in from 7 yards out and the Texans led 17-0 after the first quarter. Jim Caldwell was so disgusted that he almost made a facial expression.
Early in the second quarter Schaub threw passes of 20 and 21 yards to Andre Johnson and then threw a short pass that was deflected and caught in the back of the end zone by Johnson as the Texans poured it on with a 24-0 lead. The Texans tacked on a field goal to lead 27-0 with 1:34 left in the half. The Colts punted again, and Jacoby Jones returned it 79 yards for a touchdown as the shellshocked Colts trailed the Texans 34-0 with 54 seconds left in the half.
An uneventful second half showed that the Texans are for real and the Colts are in a lot of trouble. Gary Kubiak has been playing for his job for a couple years now, and Bob McNair had to be pleased with the results. The game itself was not competitive, but the storyline was a major statement. This will either be a blip on the radar or a major changing of the guard. One Houston fan had a sign saying that Peyton Manning had been a pain in the neck to Houston for a decade, and that his return was not needed any time soon. 34-7 Texans
Philadelphia Eagles @ St. Louis Rams–Early on the Super Bowl or bust Eagles saw Michael Vick get sacked. The Eagles punted and the Rams started with a short field at the Philly 47. Stephen Jackson took a handoff and raced for a touchdown as the stunned Eagles saw the Rams take a 7-0.
Vick got nailed on the next series but not before completing a 41 yard pass to Deshean Jackson and following it up with a 20 yarder to Avant. Roughng the passer tacked on 10 more, setting up the tying score at 7-7 whe Vick found McCoy on 3rd and goal at the 7. Sam Bradford fumbled on the next series, and it was returned 56 yards for a score by Parker to make it 14-7 Eagles.
The Rams kicked a field goal to get within 14-10, but Vick had the Eagles on the move from the Philly 13 to the Rams 12. Vick was then sacked and fumbled, ending the drive. Yet the Rams could not move the ball, and the Eagles got it back with 3:40 left in the half at their own 35. Vick quickly got them to the Rams 11 but no further as Philly added a field goal to have the Eagles up 17-10 haftime.
A mostly quiet third quarter saw some separation when the Rams missed a long field goal and Vick scrambled for 18 yards before hitting Jackson for 26 more. Vick found Jackson for a 6 yardtouchdown pass with 5 minutes left in the period as the Eagles led 24-10.
The Rams drove deep late in the third quarter but could not get past the 6 yard line. Steve Spagnuolo decided to settle for a field goal to get within 24-13, but it was not enough. In the fourth quarter it was McCoy who broke free for gains of 11 and 17 before rambling for a 49 yard touchdown run to salt the game away.
The Rams are an improved team but Walrus Lite Andy Reid (and the only walrus coaching with original Walrus Mike Holmgren in the president’s chair and Walrus 3 Brad Childress fired last year) knows that if his team is to play to expectations, they have to win by convincing margins. This was a very good start on the road. 31-13 Eagles
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns–A battle of AFC North Titans went at it, but that was Pittsburgh at Baltimore. This was the annual race for the bottom. Chad Johnson is now in New England, Carson Palmer retired rather than play for Mike Brown, and Terrell Owens is in some ozone somewhere. The Walrus has Colt McCoy while Marvin Lewis let the Andy Dalton era begin. Holmgren was not a happy Walrus when a 20 yard punt had the Bengals starting at the Cleveland 41. Heavy doses of handoffs to Cedric Benson was followed by Dalton’s first pass, an 8 yard completion to Gresham. The drive bogged down at the 6 but Mike Nugent put the Bengals up 3-0.
Holmgren’s mustache got even more upset when the Browns ended their next drive punting after 4th and 32 at their own 8. Again the Bengals started at the Cleveland 41 and again Benson got 3 straight carries, running over Cleveland defenders like they were Clayton Endicott III. From the Cleveland 28, Dalton hit Gresham for 22 and then for a 2 yard touchdown. Dalton’s first passing score had the Bengals up 10-0. In the second quarter Dalton calmly led the Bengals down the field, and a 47 yard Nugent kick had the Bengals cruising at 13-0, proving that Mike Brown is the greatest owner in the history of sports.
The new kickoff rule was designed to cause more touchbacks, but all it is doing is causing return men to take more risks. Josh Cribbs took the kickoff 8 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 51 yards to the Cleveland 43. Colt McCoy would hit Watson for a 34 yard touchdown in the second quarter to have the Browns within 13-7.
Cincy went 3 and out as the Browns took over at their own 10. On 3rd and 7 McCoy scrambled for 9. Peyton Hillis gained 17 and McCoy then went deep to Massaquoi for 56 yards down to the 5. McCoy hit Moore for the 2 yard touchdown pass to have the Browns up 14-13. Holmgren was now a happy Walrus and Mike Brown was on the phone to Carson Palmer.
The Browns began their first drive of the third quarter at their own 47, and got to the Cincy 3 yard line before McCoy misfired twice. Phil Dawson hit the gimme as the Browns led 17-13 after three quarters in a game as thrilling as it sounded.
With 5 minutes left in the half Dalton was replaced with Bruce Gradkowski. Doc B is a fiery leader who was with the Raiders last year. Despite outplaying his competitors, he was allowed to leave. He again showed why he is an NFL starter as the Benglas still trailed with 6 minutes left. He hit Leonard for 22 yards and then Green for a 41 yard touchdown as the Bengals retook the lead 20-17 with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Cleveland did have the ball at their own 44 but turned it over on downs. Benson then ran faster than Governor Gatling for a 39 yard score to ice the game. Holmgren was a very grumpy 0-1 Walrus, while at 1-0 Mike Brown admitted his genius in letting Palmer go. 27-17 Bengals
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars–The Mike Munchak era began in Tennessee as Jeff Fisher left after 16 seasons. Jack Del Rio is entering his 9th season in Jacksonville, and he is the only coach to make it that far without a division crown. A few years ago he cut Byron Leftwich at the 11th hour for David Garrard. Despite being the NFL’s best dressed man, Garrard was cut at the 11th hour for old man Matt Hasselbeck. The Titans had Luke McCown as Vince Young was released and Kerry Collins retired and then unretired elsewhere. In other words, a pair of barely average teams played a barely average game.
An 11 play, 6 minute drive featuring heavy doses of Maurice Jones-Drew resulted in Jones-Drew rushing up the middle for a 21 yard touchdown to have the Jaguars up 7-0. Josh Scobee nailed a 48 yard field goal in the second quarter to have the Jaguars up 10-0. An ugly game provided a brief moment of excitement when Munchak decided to have Rob Bironas try a 67 yard field goal on the last play of the half. In a shocker, it was no good.
The third quarter saw Jacksonville fumble on one drive and then run the ball 9 straight times on the next drive. Owens took the first 3 carries and Jones-Drew the last 6 of them. The final 2 runs were form the Tennessee one yard line, with the last one losing 2 yards. Del RIo settled for another field goal as Jacksonville led 13-0 in this suckfest. As lifeless as the Titans were, they were only one play from being back in the game. They got that one play as Kenny Britt took a short pass from Hasselbeck and raced 8- yards for a score to get the Titans within 13-7.
McCown led an 11 play, 5 minute drive into the fourth quarter as Josh Scobee kicked a 45 yard field goal to have Jacksonville up 16-7 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Hasselbeck then led a 12 play, 80 yard drive that consumed over 6 minutes. He hit Britt for the score from 2 yards out but the Titans still trailed by a deuce with 3 1/2 minutes to play. The Jaguars punted, but Matt Turk backed the Titans up at their own 3 yard line with 1:45 to play and a field goal needed to win. With 23 seconds left the Titans were at their own 46. Hasselbeck went deep but was intercepted as Jacksonville hung on to win ugly. 16-14 Jaguars
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins–Emotions ran high for both teams as both cities were victims of the 9/11 attacks. Those who claim the New York Giants play in Jersey can go to hell. Former Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi has 3 brothers who are all with FDNY. They were honored a decade ago and again today. When all the incredibly emotional rituals were complete, Mike Shanahan and Tom Coughlin had to get their men ready to play football.
After an exchange of punts, Eli Manning from the Giants 30 fired the bomb on rd and 10 to Hakeem Nicks for a 68 yard gain. Manning scrambled himself for the final deuce on the next play to have Big Blue up 7-0. With Donovan McNabb shipped to Minnesota, Rex Grossman was the starter. Tim Hightower ran early on and Grossman led the Redskins into the red zone. Yet a 39 yard field goal by Graham Gano was Graham ga hell no wide right.
The Redskins got the ball back at their own 34 in the second quarter and Grossman hit Jabar Gaffney for 11 yards. On 1st and 20 Grossman hit Davis for 23. On 4th and 5 from the Giants 37 Shanahan decided to go for it. Grossman hit Santana Moss for 10 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the 19 Grossman found Armstrong down to the one, where Hightower took it in to tie the game 7-7.
Midway through the second quarter the Giants took over at their own 15. Manning found Mario Manningham for 24 yards. A 17 yarder to Nicks followed by a 14 yard Brandon Jacobs run led to Ahmad bradshaw taking it in from 6 yards out. The Giants led 14-7 with under 3 minutes left in the half.
From the Washington 20, Grossman put on a clinic. He found Moss for 11, Chris Cooley for 15 more, Gaffney for 39, and Hightower for 9. 5 plays went to 5 different receivers as the 80 yard drive culminated with a 6 yard touchdown toss to Armstrong to deadlock the game 14-14 at the break.
3 plays into the third quarter, Manning threw an 18 yard touchdown pass to Kerrigan. Unfortunately for Big Blue, Kerrigan plays defense for Washington as it was the Redskins on top 21-14. Coughlin was ready to waterboard Manning as Shanahan wanted to do to Gano earlier. Midway through the third quarter, the Giants took over at their own 9 yard line. Manning fired deep to Ballard all the way to midfield. Yet on 4th and 1 from the Skins 31, Coughlin went for it and Bradshaw went nowhere. The next Giants drive began at their own 10 when Manning fumbled. The Giants retained possession at their own 2 and were luck to punt.
The Redskins took over early in the fourth quarter at the Giants 42, but Grossman was hit and fumbled. The Giants took over at the Redskins 27, but on 3rd and 1 Bradshaw again got nailed. Coughlin brought in Lawrence Tynes for a 38 yard field goal, which was blocked.
From the Washington 30, Grossman led a 10 play, 6 minute drive. He hit Moss for 14, and on 3rd and 9, hit Davis for 7. Yet rather than 4th and 2, unnecessary roughness on the defense meant an automatic first down. On 3rd and 8 from the Giants 31, Grossman found Davis for 22. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Grossman hit Gaffney for the score to ice it.
Both Shanahan and Coughlin are Super Bowl winners and disciplinarians. They have no patience for mistakes, and on this day it was Grossman playing great football despite the one fumble and Manning having the awful game. Coughlin was supposed to have the better team, but Shanahan and his men got the win on this emotion fueled day. 28-14 Redskins.
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals–The Cardinals went from NFC Champions to one of the worst teams in football. The Panthers were a 12-4 team a couple of years ago before their shocking home playoff loss to Arizona sent them on a downward spiral to being the worst team in football last year. New coach Ron Rivera will try to turn things around, as will Ken Whisenhunt. Rivera has new top pick Cam Newton. Newton lit up the NFL in his very first game, throwing for a staggering 422 yards. He is the first rookie in NFL history to top 400 yards in his opening game. As for Whisenhunt, he has seen Kurt Warner retire and Matt Leinart fail, and has now bet all his chips on Kevin Kolb.
The Panthers began at their own 8. Newton’s first pass went to all world Steve Smith for 14 yards. The Panthers would punt, ad the Cardinals took over at their own 46. Beanie Wells gained 9 and Kolb found Todd Heap for 20. On 3rd and 8 from the 23, Kolb found Doucet for 16. Well carried it the final 7 to have the Cardinals up 7-0. The Panthers took over at their 20. On 3rd and 7 Newton went bombs away to Smith for the 77 yard touchdown. Welcome to the NFL Newton, as his first touchdown pass tied the game 7-7.
The defenses temporarily settled in, but in the second quarter Kolb moved the Cardinals from their 20 to the Carolina 4. Kolb then fumbled to kill the drive. The Cardinals got the ball back and Kolb moved them from their own 39 to the Carolina 5. Penalties pushed them back 15 yards, and Jay Feely missed a 36 yard field goal.
From their own 26, Newton scrambled for 12 yards and found Stewart for 15. From the Arizona 26, Newton realized that success for his team meant throwing the ball high and letting Steve Smith do what he does. Another touchdown pitch and catch had the Panthers up 14-7 at intermission.
In the third quarter Newton went to the well once too often, and a short pass for Smith was intercepted. From the Carolina 48, it was Kolb who only needed one play. He went deep to King for the score to tie the game 14-14.
Newton kept firing. On 3rd and 12 from the 18, He hit Lafell for 13 and Jeremy Shockey for 22. Newton then went deep to Greg Olsen for 43 yards to the Arizona 2 yard line. Newton took it in himself from one yard out as this human highlight reel had the Panthers leading 21-14.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals took over at their own 10. Kolb hit King for 13. From the Arizona 30, Kolb found Doucet, who raced 70 yards as this shootout was tied 21-21 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Yet despite the offensive explosions, it was special teams that decided the game. Midway through the fourth quarter, Carolina punted. Peterson returned it 89 yards for the score as the Cardinals were up by 7 points in this seesaw contest.
Newton got the ball back at the Carolina 17 with 2:20 to play. In his very first game he had to work the 2 minute drill. He found Olsen for 10 and Lafell for 27. He hit SMith for 23 with roughing the passer adding more. With 1:39 to play the Panthers were at the Arizona 11. Yet the game with offense and special teams finally in the 60th minute saw defense. 4 straight incompletions appeared to end it, but defensive offsides on 4th and 10 gave Newton a 5th chance. On 4th and 5 from the 6, a pass to Goodson came up one yard short.
Yet the Panthers lost, but Newton was phenomenal. Kolb was great. This was a thrilling game, and both of these teams at some point will be much better. As for Newton, he is so exciting that several plays a game featured a cameraman on him working the “Cam cam.” 28-21 Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers–Seattle won the NFC Worst last year at 7-9, the first time in history that a losing record won the division and the first time since the strike shortened year of 1982 that a losing record made the playoffs. The Seahawks even won a playoff game, although Pete Carroll may have less talent than during his USC glory years. The 49ers were even worse, costing Mike Singletary his job. Former quarterback and brother of Baltimore coach Jon, Jim Harbaugh moved a few miles from Stanford to the 49ers to try and turn them around. With Tarvaris Jackson and Alex Smith quarterbacking, expectations were low, and they were not even met.
A scoreless first quarter gave way to a 27 yard David Akers field goal less than one minute into the second quarter. The longtime Philly kicker had the 49ers up 3-0. Jackson then fumbled, giving the 49ers the ball at the Seattle 9. 3 plays netted 3 yards and Akers nailed a 24 yarder to complement his 27 yarder. The 49ers led 6-0 in a game both teams deserved to lose. Frank Gore ran hard as the 49ers then reached a 3rd and 1 at the Seattle 14. The run failed, and on 4th and 1 Harbaugh decided that the only player worth anything was Akers. The 31 yarder had the 49ers up 9-0.
Seattle did nothing, and on the next 49ers drive they faced 3rd and 5 at the Seattle 9. Seattle jumped offsides, setting uo 3rd and 1 at the 5. Smith threw incomplete, but before AKers could attempt a 4th kick, defensive pass interference put the ball on the one. With one yard to go, Alex Smith got it and the 49ers had a 16-0 lead at halftime.
Seattle began the second half at midfield, but Tarvaris Jackson was intercepted on the first play. Seattle got the ball back at their own 44, and on 3rd and 10 Jackson ran for 12. Marshawn Lynch added 12 more and Obomanu added another 13. Jackson hit Golden Tate for an 8 yard score to get the Seahawks within 16-7. Seattle would then have an 11 play, 5 minute drive that resulted in a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to trail 16-10.
With 9 minutes left the game got ugly. The 49ers faced 4th and goal at the 2. Harbaugh decided not to gamble in his first game because another field goal would make it a 2 score game. Roughing the kicker then made it 1st and goal at the 1. Gore lost a couple yards, and on 4th and goal at the 1 Harbaugh again went with the kick. Again it was good and this time counted as 3 minutes came off the clock to move zero yards. Yet the 49ers led 19-10 in this hideous game.
In hurry up mode, Jackson found Baldwin for a 55 yard touchdown. The Seahawks were only down 19-17 and 4 minutes were left in the game. Yet then the 49ers got ginned up, as in Ted Ginn. He took the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a score as the 49ers now led 26-17. Ginn was not done. Seattle punted on their next series, and Ginn returned it 5 yards for a score. In one minute he had 2 special teams touchdowns, as Harbaugh won in his NFL debut. The quarterback play was dreadful for both teams, but the 49ers got the victory and are now in first place in the worst division in football. 33-17 49ers
Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers–Say it with me now. Brett Favre is finally retired for good. Leslie Frasier brought in Donovan McNabb while with San Diego the quarterback situation is solid with Philip Rivers. The problem in San Diego remains Norvelous Norv Turner. The Chargers last year were # 1 in offense and defense yet missed the playoffs due to special teams nightmares. Mike Scifres is one of the best, but he had multiple punts blocked last year.
Usually the Chargers do not collapse until the playoffs, but kicker Nate Kaeding saw special teams drag the Chargers to a 2- start. The team finished 9-7, and this time the slow start kept them out of the playoffs.
The beginning of the game was dedicated to those precious Chargers special teams. Percy Harvin returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown as the Vikings needed 15 seconds to lead 7-0. To add insult to injury and injury to insult, Nate Kaeding was injured on the kickoff trying to catch Harvin. He tore his ACL and is out for the season.
The Chargers went 3 and out, and the Vikings began at their own 12. The Donovan McNabb era had officially begun in Minnesota. It was about as successful as the 2011 Nate Kaeding season as McNabb was quickly intercepted, giving the Chargers the ball at the Minnesota 6. Mike Tolbert ran it in from one yard out to tie the game 7-7.
The teams exchanged punts and the Vikings got the ball back on their own 8. This time McNabb moved the team with his arms and legs. On 3rd and 3 McNabb hit Jenkins for 12. On 3rd and 5, Harvin gained 8. McNabb then scrambled for 23 more. After 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes, Ryan Longwell kicked a 33 yard field goal to have the Vikings up 10-7 in the second quarter. San Diego again went 3 and out and the Vikings took over just shy of midfield. Adrian Peterson broke free for a 46 yard gain and McNabb hit Jenkins for a 3 yard touchdown as the Vikings had the 17-7 lead.
The Chargers took over at their own 10 and finally got going. Rivers led a 6 minute drive that reached the Minnesota 15. Penalties moved them back 10 yards, and on 4th and 20 from the 25, a 43 yard field goal seemed logical. Yet Kaeding was done for the year, and there was no backup kicker on the roster. Norvelous Norv Turner had no choice but to go for it. Rivers fired incomplete. The Vikings went 3 and out and the Chargers got the ball back at their own 17 with 1:38 left in the half. With 10 seconds left in the half the Chargers were at the Minnesota 17. Yet Rivers was intercepted, as the Chargers still trailed 17-7 at halftime.
The game completely changed after halftime, as the Chargers took over at their own 31. Rivers hit Tolbert for 11 and Mathews for 37 more. On 3rd and 9 from the 16, Rivers hit Tolbert for just enough. Tolbert then carried it the final 7 yards for his second touchdown as the Chargers were within 17-14.
Minnesota again punted and the Chargers took over at their own 23. Rivers again led the Chargers right down the field to a 3rd and 3 at the Minnesota 24. Rivers was then intercepted again as Minnesota could do nothing but San Diego could not take advantage. San Diego began the fourth quarter at their own 32 and Rivers continued the pace. Tolbert ran for 13 and RIvers hit Antonio Gates for 15 and Malcolm Floyd for 16 more. The drive would stall and the Chargers faced 4th and 13 at the Minnesota 22. With Kaeding out, going for it again was an option. Turner decided to have punter Mike Scifres try a field goal. Last year Scifres kept having his punts blocked. Maybe his calling was kicking field goals. He made the 40 yarder to tie the game 17-17 with 10 minutes left in regulation.
The Vikings offense was non-existent in the second half, as the Chargers took over at their own 36 with 8 minutes left. Mathews gained 11, and unnecessary roughness added 15 more. On 3rd and 4 from the Minnesota 32, Rivers found Gates for 13. Rivers then hit Tolbert for the 19 yard score. Tolbert’s 3rd touchdown of the day had the Chargers up by 7 with 5 minutes left. Minnesota went backward, punted, and San Diego ran out the clock.
Rivers finished 33 of 48 for 335 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. McNabb was a miserable 7 of 15 for 39…yes…39…total yards. He had one touchdown and the killer interception. The Chargers still look to be a mess on special teams, while the VIkings have offensive talent with no offense. It was ugly, but San Diego got the win. With Kansas City losing and Oakland and Denver playing Monday Night, the Chargers at 1-0 had left behind their slow starts to take sole control of the division. Turner is that great. Meanwhile, Brett Favre has missed 3 straight games dating back to last year and will reach 300 missed games in about 20 years. 24-17 Chargers
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets–With the heartbreak and resolve of 9/11 in the background, the other New York team was on the road. Gang Green, with Fireman Ed and thousands of fan cheering them on in their new stadium, attempted to carry the city on its back. A decade ago the Giants won on the road while the Jets lost at home. This year Big Blue lost on the road, and Gang Green had a tough contest. Rex Ryan has declared Super Bowl or Bust. The Cowboys with Jason Garrett left their 1-7 Wade Phillips debacle behind to finish last year 5-3. Jerry Jones kept Garrett, and was glad to have Tony Romo back. Romo missed the last 10 games with a broken clavicle last year. This game was the Ryan Bowl, with Rex coaching the Jets and his brother Rob the new Cowboys defensive coordinator. Father and orginal 46 defense legend Buddy Ryan was in attendance. While emotions ran high, what the fans witnessed was a fine football game that will be talked about by both teams for years.
The Cowboys started out hot from their own 26. Romo hit Felix Jones for 11 and Dez Bryant for 42 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Jets 11, Romo found Ogletree for 6. Romo hit Bryant for the 3 yard touchdown to quickly have Dallas up 7-0. The Jets went 3 and out, and the Ryan Bowl saw both defenses settle in until the Cowboys got the ball at their own 37 with 8 minutes left in the half.
Romo found Jason Witten for 12 yards, and Felix Jones gained a dozen more on back to back carries. Romo hit Miles Austin, who thankfully is no longer dating a Kardashian. Focused on football, he gained 11 yards. The drive stalled, but Bailey nailed a 34 yard field goal to have the Cowboys up 10-0 with 3 minutes left in the half. The Jets had no offense and were starting at their own 13. Mark Sanchez has often been criticized as a weak link on a Super Bowl team, but he is no game manager. After 27 frustrating minutes, he unleashed.
He found Santonio Holmes for 17 yards and Dustin Keller for 11 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 47, Sanchez connected with Keller for 17 more. A short pass to LaDanian Tomlinson went for 32 yards and Sanchez hit Keller for the final 4 to have the Jets within 10-7 at the break.
The Jets punted on their opening second half drive and the Cowboys took over at their own 27. On 3rd and Romo found Ogletree for 7. From just past midfield, Romo hit Murray for 13 and Austin for the 36 yard touchdown. Breaking up with Kardashian has definitely helped him as the Cowboys led 17-7. The Jets took over at their own 20 and Sanchez went deep to Cumberland for 33 yards. He hit Keller for 10 more, although the drive would bog down at the Jets 16. Former Dallas kicker Nick Folk now kicks for the Jets, and his 34 yarder had the Jets trailing 17-10.
Dallas took over at their own 11 and Romo kept moving the offense well. He ran for 7 yards and then found Phillips for 7 and Jones for 19. The drive would stall and Dallas punted. The Jets took over at their own 10 and Sanchez hit newly acquired Plaxico Burress. Burress went from the Big Blue to prison orange, but now he is a beloved member of Gang Green. His being sent to jail was very unfortunate, but he was back and ready to produce. Yet on the last play of the third quarter, Sanchez blundered. He had been connecting with Keller all game, but this time he went to the well once too often. He was intercepted at the Jets 38 by Lee, who returned it all the way to the one yard line. The fourth quarter began with Jones running it in to have the Cowboys up 24-10. Dallas was in total control, and had numerous chances to salt it away.
The Jets took over at their own 16 and Sanchez quickly redeemed himself. Sanchez found Holmes for 28 and another newly acquired receiver in Derrick Mason for another 13. Sanchez hit Tomlinson for 11 and Tomlinson gained 7 more on the ground. Sanchez then went deep to Burress for a 26 yard touchdown as the Jets were again within one score at 24-17 with a full 12 minutes left in regulation.
Dallas took over at their own 20 and Romo found Witten for 11. Romo then went deep to Witten for the knockout blow. The 64 yard completion made it 1st and goal at the 3. Even a field goal would make it a 2 score game. Romo had been playing flawless. That was about to change. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Romo scrambled around and tried to run up the middle for the score. He was hit and fumbled. The Jets recovered at their own 3 yard line. They had dodged a bullet.
Sanchez led the Jets from their own 3 to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 46 with 7 minutes left. Yet this time Sanchez was the one who was hit and fumbled. The Cowboys recovered at the Jets 47 with another chance to turn out the lights. After a run lost a couple yards, Jason Garrett decided to get aggressive and throw the ball rather than grind out the clock. Incomplete passes and penalties led to 4th and 22 from the Dallas 41. They had to punt. In an absolute stunner, McBriar had his punt blocked by McKnight and recovered by Trufant. Trufant took the perfect bounce and raced 18 yards as the game was deadlocked 24-24 with 5 minutes left to play. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a blocked punt lit up the home crowd at the Lousiana Superdome. Now on 9/11/11, the Jets had their own miracle to fire up the crowd, and perhaps the entire city.
Dallas took over on their own 20 and soon faced a 3rd and 1 at their own 41. Tashard Choice ran into a Gang Green wall and got nothing. On 4th and 1, Jason Garrett took no chances and punted. This time the kick went smoothly, giving the Jets the ball at their own 20. Yet Sanchez could not get them going, and they punted as well. With one minute to play, the Cowboys had the ball at their own 41. They had plenty of time, and despite the earlier fumble, Romo had been playing a smart game.
Romo then took a gamble that was not worth taking. He decided to try and invade Revis Island. Most teams do not throw in Darrell Revis’s direction, especially not with the game on the line. Romo thew for Dez Bryant, and was intercepted by Revis. Revis ran it back 20 yards to the Dallas 34 as the crowd exploded. The Jets ran 3 plays and gained only 2 yards, as Sanchez could not make it an easier kick. Nick Folk came out for a 50 yarder to beat the team that cut him. He nailed it. The Cowboys would have one more shot, but never seriously threatened.
A gallant Romo blamed himself for the loss, although he had nothing to do with the blocked punt. Yet his costly fumble and interception doomed the Cowboys and turned a 24-10 lead into a loss. As for the Jets, they showed a ton of heart. Sanchez had stretches of not playing well, but fought back with courage. On the tenth anniversary of a disheartening day in New York, the Jets showed guts and character in getting the win. Rex Ryan reminded the team after the game how intense the emotions were. Ryan always tells them to play like Jets. In the fourth quarter, in all three phases of the game, they did. 27-24 Jets
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins was the first Monday night game. This game was expected to be a blowout. The Patriots went 14-2 last year, and beat the Dolphins by an average of almost 30 points in their 2010 sweep. The Dolphins after back to back seasons almost fired Tony Sparano. Bill Parcells is retired and the Dolphins are a mess while Bill Bellichick, Tom Brady and the Patriots keep rolling. They added Chad Johnson and ALbert Haynesworth in the offseason. The Dolphins added Reggie Bush, who is known for also dating a Kardashian and giving back his Heisman.
Yet Tom Brady is only 4-5 at Miami in his career. In 2004 the 12-1 Patriots went to the 2-11 Dolphins. Brady had a meltdown with 4 interceptions as Miami came back for a 29-28 shocker. While this game would not appear as lopsided on paper, it was not that far off from a mismatch standpoint.
Miami started at their own 16, and Chad Henne took over. He has been much criticized in his career, and this season may be his final chance to show he is the guy to take over. Henne immediately went deep to Brandon Marshall for 25 yards and then found Reggie Bush for 13 more. A 6 yarder to Hartline and a 3 yarder to Bush set up 4th and 1 at the Patriots 21. Tony Sparano decided to go for it, and Hilliard banged up the middle after being stopped on the initial hit for a gain of 2. On 2nd and 15, Henne went deep to Anthony Fasano for 22 yards down to the 2 yard line. Henne was then sacked for 8 yards, appearing to kill the drive. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 9, a brilliant play call and perfect execution on a quarterback draw led to Henne taking it in for the score. In a stunner, the Dolphins led 7-0.
The Patriots decided not to surrender, and took the field at their own 22. From the 30, Brady went deep to Slater for 46 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 18, Brady found Rob Gronkowski for 14. Green-Ellis made it look easy running the final 4 to tie the game 7-7.
Miami went 3 and out on their next series, and the Patriots took over at their own 35. Brady hit Deon Branch for 14 and Hernandez for 16 more. From the Miami 35, Brady went deep to Wes Welker for 21 yards a the first quarter ended. The second quarter began with the Patriots facing 3rd and 6 at the Miami 10. Brady found Gronkowski for the score as the Patriots led 14-7. The defenses took over the second quarter as the score stayed the same going into the locker rooms.
Early in the third quarter Brady had the Patriots facing 2nd and 7 at the Miami 40 when his pass was deflected and intercepted by Odrick. The big fella lumbered but got caught at the Patriots 9. Henne hit Hartline for the score as the game was now tied 14-14.
From the New England 27, Brady brought the Patriots right back. Short gains set up 2nd and 2 at the Miami 39, where Brdy hit Branch for gains of 13 and 20. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Brady hit Welker for the score to have the Patriots back up 21-14 midway through the third quarter. Henne brought Miami back again from the Miami 11. Reggie Bush gained 7 and Henne hit Marshall for 22 and Fasano for 25 more. Henne scrambled for 10, and after a 4 yard loss, Henne went deep to Marshall for 28 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 1. Yet Hilliard lost a yard and Henne fired incomplete twice. On 4th and goal from the 2, Tony Sparano decided not to go for it. Carpenter hit the field goal as the Dolphins trailed 21-17.
The Patriots took over at their own 22 and Brady kept firing. Green-Ellis ran for 13, and on 3rd and 4 at the Patriots 46, Brady hit Branch for 24. From the 31, Brady went deep to Hernandez for 30 yards, and back to Hernandez for the final yard as the Patriots led 28-17 after three quarters. New England got the ball back at their own 36 and kept the pressure on. Brady hit Gronkowski for 15 and Hernandez for gains of 30 and 12. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Brady fired incomplete. Bill Bellichick decided not to go for it, as the field goal had New England up 31-17 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Henne hung tough from the Miami 23 and found Fasano for 21 yards and then Marshall for 31 more. Midway through the fourth quarter on 4th and 10 from the New England 25, Henne found Hartline for 15. On 3rd and goal Henne got it to inches short of the goal line. On 4th and goal with 6 minutes left, Sparano called a low percentage fade route to the end zone that was overthrown, killing any chances of a comeback.
Bill Bellichick likes to go for the jugular, and he did again. From his own end zone, Brady went deep to Welker for the 99 yard touchdown pass, tying the NFL record. Rather than 31-24, the Patriot were up 38-17.
The NFL Any Given Sunday rule does not mean every game is an upset. The Patriots were expected to win big against an inferior team and they did. Brady finished 31 of 48 for a monstrous 517 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. New England had over 600 yards of total offense for the Evil Hoodie. Miami added a garbage touchdown as Henne threw for 416 yards passing himself. 38-24 Patriots
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos was the second Monday night game. The game brought a pair of new coaches in Hue Jackson and Jon Fox and a pair of potential phenom quarterbacks in Tim Tebow and Terrell Pyror, although neither one would start or even perhaps play. Last year the Raiders swept Denver by big margins, including blasting them 59-14 in a game where nobody scored in the fourth quarter. Al Davis saw the Silver and Black go 8-8 last year to end the losing streak, including going 6-0 in the division to just miss the playoffs. The Raiders went 0-4 in the preseason, but get back some starters who played sparingly if at all. They lost Nahmdi Asomugha and Bruce Gradkowski in free agency, but come to Denver with optimism. Jason Campbell and Kyle Orton would start at quarterback.
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos was the second Monday night game. The game brought a pair of new coaches in Hue Jackson and Jon Fox and a pair of potential phenom quarterbacks in Tim Tebow and Terrell Pyror, although neither one would start or even perhaps play. Last year the Raiders swept Denver by big margins, including blasting them 59-14 in a game where nobody scored in the fourth quarter. Al Davis saw his team go 8-8 last year to end the losing streak, including going 6-0 in the division to just miss the playoffs. The Raiders went 0-4 in the preseason, but get back some starters who played sparingly if at all. They lost Nahmdi Asomugha and Bruce Gradkowski in free agency, but come to Denver with optimism. Jason Campbell and Kyle Orton would start at quarterback.
Sebastian Janikowski is a beneficiary of the new kickoff rule, and he banged out his first touchback. On 2nd and 9 Orton hit Larsen for 15 and Brandon Lloyd for 11. Yet the Silver and Black looked solid early on defending the run, as Knowshon Moreno gained 1, 0, and then lost 6. On 3rd and 15 from their own 42, Orton called timeout. A completion to McGahee came up short as the Broncos punted on 4th and 3. Despite it going out the back of the end zone, the Raiders got called for holding and began at their own 10.
The offense was a disaster from the first play from scrimmage. Campbell threw a quick screen pass to Jacoby Ford. Ford was hit by rookie Von Miller and fumbled, as the Broncos began at the Oakland 15. On 3rd and 5 from the 10, Orton fired incomplete. In a trend that has continued for about a decade, the defense has bailed out the offense. Prater nailed the short field goal as the Broncos led 3-0 only 5 minutes into the game. The Raiders took over at their own 20.
Darren McFadden did not play in the preseason, but his first carry was a pitchout that went for 9 yards. For some bizarre reason Hue Jackson had Campbell line up in the shotgun on 2nd and 1. Campbell ran an option and pitched it to Ford, who fumbled it again but hung on for a loss. Ford is an explosive player but he was unsettled early. Jackson remained undaunted and had Campbell swing it to him again on 3rd and 4. Ford picked up 7 to keep the drive going. Campbell tried to go deep but could not find anyone, dumping it off to set up 3rd and 8. Campbell fired incomplete and once again the best player on the team remained punter Shane Lechler.
Denver took over at their own 20. Orton quickly hit Daniel Fells for 11 yards. A holding penalty forced Denver into 3rd and 15. A completion came up short as Denver punted on 4th and 3. Darrell Blackstock blocked the punt as the Raiders took over with a short field at the Denver 42.
This time Jackson wen textbook and had McFadden run for gains of 5 and 2. Yet on 3rd and 3 Campbell was back in the shotgun, and the Raiders suffered their second and third false start penalties. Both of them were on Stefan with the first one on rookie Wisniewski. Yet on 3rd and 13 a perfectly executed draw play to McFadden gained 20. Fullback Marcel Reece took a handoff 10 more yards. Michael Bush got the next carry as the first quarter ended with the Raiders at the Denver 10 yard line.
A pitchout to McFadden lost a yard to set up 3rd and 7 at the 11. Campbell took another draw and took a shot at the marker. A slide would have left him short, so his courage got the first down. Denver burned a timeout when they only had 10 men on the field. A play action pass worked and Campbell hit a wide open Reece for the 3 yard touchdown to have the Raiders up 7-3.
Seabass boomed another one and Denver took over after the touchback. Knowshon Moreno took a handoff and fumbled and the Raiders recovered. Initially he was ruled down by contact but Hue Jackson quickly challenged the call. The challenge was successful as the Raiders took over at the Denver 23. A pair of McFadden runs lost yards. On 3rd and 13, Campbell hit Myers short of the marker. On 4th and 6, with the rain starting to come down hard, a 45 yard field goal was no gimme, even with Lechler holding and Seabass kicking. Yet they got the job done as the Raiders led 10-3. Seabass boomed another touchback.
On 3rd and 10, Orton escaped and scrambled for 13 yards. Defensive holding on Stanford Routt, who gets called for way too many penalties, added 5 more. Orton went deep for Lloyd but Routt broke it up. A false start set up 2nd and 15, and then a high pass was deflected and dropped by Routt. A jailbreak on the next play forced Orton to throw it away as Denver punted. A terrible decision by Miller not to field the punt led to a 66 yarder by Colquit that had the Raiders backed up to their own one yard line.
Campbell went for the bomb to Darrius Heyward-Bey, but 60 yards was all for naught as Heyward-Bey caught it out of bounds. Somewhere Cliff Branch and Jim Plunkett were shaking their heads. Oakland went 3 and out and punted. Lechler boomed a 65 yard punt, and a personal foul against Denver had them starting at their own 28 as the rain lessened a bit.
On 2nd and 13, Orton fired to set up 3rd and 1, but a hold nullified it to set up 2nd and 23 instead. Yet an incomplete pass was offset by illegal contact on the defense to set up 1st and 10. Orton then hit Lloyd for consecutive 11 yard gains. Unnecessary roughness on the defense tacked on 15 more as Denver was being gift wrapped field position. The Raiders began blitzing, and three incompletions set up 4th and 10 at the Oakland 38. In a stunning decision given the inclement weather, Prater was brought in for a 56 yard field goal attempt. The Raiders called timeout. Denver tried anyway, and while it was long enough it carried way wide. With 4 minutes left in the half the Raiders took over at their own 46.
Campbell got it McFadden for 6, and McFadden picked up 3 more. On 3rd and 1 Campbell snuck across and got the first down. McFadden took a sweep around left end for a 20 yard run. At he 2 minute warning the Raiders faced 2nd and 6 at the Denver 21. On the next carry McFadden was given a horsecollar tackle, setting up 1st and goal at the 8. The Raiders responded with a false start. Denver responded with another defensive penalty to set up 1st and goal at the 6. Despite a strong running game, Jackson called a pair of passes that both were incomplete. A neutral zone infraction infraction set up 3rd and goal at the 3. Again Campbell was in the shotgun and again Campbell threw incomplete. Seabass hit the 21 yarder as the Raiders led 13-3 with 90 seconds left in the half. Seabass again boomed a touchback.
Orton started out by getting sacked and then throwing a deflected ball into coverage incomplete. On 3rd and 13, Orton found Fells for 16. A slant over the middle to Lloyd went all the way to the Oakland 48 as Orton spiked it with 32 seconds left in the half. Orton went deep again but this time was intercepted by Giordano at the Oakland 25.
The Raiders were content to run out the clock but a personal foul on Denver set the Raiders up at the Oakland 40 with 17 seconds and 2 timeouts. A screen pass to Reece had the Raiders at the Denver 45 and 9 seconds to work with. Jackson tried to run the ball to get closer, but Denver stuffed it. Seabass was brought in for a 63 yard field goal attempt on the last play of the half. The record long was 63 yards by Tom Dempsey, and later tied by Jason Elam. Add Seabass to the history books. He nailed it with 2 or 3 yards to spare. The Polish Cannon had the Raiders fire up and leading 16-3 at halftime.
There were no kickoff returns in the first half and another touchback had the Raiders starting the second half at the 20. Campbell found Ford for 12. A pair of unsuccessful runs set up 3rd and 9, and Campbell fired high and incomplete to end the first drive. Lechler did his job but nobody else on the Raiders did theirs. Eric Decker returned the punt 90 yards for a score as the Broncos, in a game they were totally beaten in, were now only down 16-10.
Eddie Royal dropped a pass but Orton went back to him for a gain of 18. Moreno had been bottled up all game but he picked up 9. McGahee gained 2 but after the play more fighting ensued. The teams had been going at it throughout the game. Rolando McClain was called for the persona foul as the Raiders continued their record setting pace for stupid penalties. On 3rd and 10 from the Oakland 45, Orton fired incomplete. Yet instead of 4th and 10, a roughing the passer call gave Denver 15 yards and new life at the Oakland 30 as the Raiders were in full self-destruction mode. Orton found Moreno for a 24 yard gain for 1st and goal at the 6. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Denver had all the momentum but the defense made a big play when it counted as Richard Seymour acked Orton for the second time. Prater nailed a 30 yard field goal as Denver was now only down 16-13 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Again the Raiders started at their own 20.
Campbell was sacked and fumbled, but McFadden fell on it for a 6 yard loss. The drive got no better as the Raiders went 3 and out after Campbell threw a pass to nobody. Lechler punted and the Broncos took over at their own 42. Orton found Moreno for 11. On the first play of the fourth quarter, from the Oakland 48, Orton found Decker for 24 yards. With Denver in total control, Jon Fox went to he bag of tricks as Orton faked a run and prepared to go deep. Out of nowhere, the ball just slipped out of his hand and Houston fell on it for the Raiders as they dodged yet another bullet. The defense needed some rest, and begged the offense to provide an ounce of life.
From the Oakland 35, it was Jackson who then called virtually the same play as Campbell faked a couple of handoffs and fired to Heyward-Bey for 17 yards. McFadden had run well in the first half, struggled in the second half, and broke free for an apparent touchdown. He was ruled down inches shy of the goal as Denver called their first timeout. Campbell snuck it over with second effort as the Raiders had slight breathing room up 23-13 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Seabass was 5 for 5 with another touchback.
On the next series Orton was sacked. Orton found Moreno, who fumbled but somehow landed on his own fumble to set up 3rd and 3. Orton then fired to Lloyd. Loyd was hit and fumbled but a pair of Raiders knocked into each other and somehow hit the ball straight back to Lloyd for another first down at midfield. An ugly game got uglier with a holding penalty against the offense on the next play to set up 1st and 20. Yet defensive pass interference on Stanford Routt, who gets flagged way too much, gave Denver 1st and 10 against the Oakland 41. On the next play Shaughnessy came through the middle and belted Orton for the 5th sack of the night, setting up 2nd and 19. On 3rd and 19 a pair of Raiders collided, preventing an interception. Yet the defense held, and Denver punted. The Raiders took over at their own 20 after a touchback with a little over 9 minutes left in the game.
The Raiders went 3 and out as the work of the defense was once again wasted by the offense. Lechler drilled a 77…yes 77…yard punt, although only a whopping 57 net. As spectacular as Lechler is, it would be nice if the offense gave him less work to do. The touchback had Denver at their own 20 still with a full 7 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation.
Defensive offsides began the drive which was followed by offensive holding to set up 1st and 15. Moreno gained 9 but then limped off. A pass broken up by Chris Johnson set up 3rd and 6. Orton found McGahee, who broke tackles for 10 yards. A pair of incompletions set up 3rd and 10. Orton hit Royal for 17 and then Decker for 15 more. Orton kept firing, and on 2nd and 4 he found Decker at the 15 yard line. The Raiders jumped offsides. The rain again began coming down again, and an incompletion and a stop set up 3rd and 4 at the 9. The bend but don’t break defense finally broke. The Broncos were back within 23-20 after the 12 play, 80 yard drive. The Raiders needed to rely on their malfunctioning offense if they were to win. Another touchback had the Raiders at their own 20 with 3 1/2 minutes to play.
Michael Bush struggled the whole night but finally had a big one when it counted, rumbling for 10 yards. Bush got stopped cold on the next run as Denver took their second timeout with 3 minutes left. Hue Jackson then decided to take a major gamble. All the Raiders needed to do was run. Passing would be insane. Campbell passed to Heyward Bey for 9 yards and a gigantic first down. On 2nd and 8, Denver took their final timeout with 2:05 left. Michael Bush then rumbled up the middle for 12 yards and another first down at the 2 minute warning to end it. Campbell kneeled down 3 times. Another heartstopper in this hated rivalry had concluded, and the Silver and Black had the win.
Despite the 0-4 preseason, Hue Jackson has his first professional win as a head coach. The first game can set the tone for the year. Getting to 1-0 is psychologically better than 0-1. Getting the win on the road is against a hated rivalry is much sweeter. Jackson wants to build a bully, but he has got to immediately address the number of penalties his team incurred. Even by Raider standards, they were undisciplined. Yet they earned the win. Jackson got the Gatorade bath, and a very classy Jon Fox exchanged encouraging words with Jackson after the game. Fox has been to a Super Bowl, and he will turn Denver around. Yet on this Monday night, the Silver and Black got it done. 23-20 Raiders
eric