After today the NFL season will be at the quartermark. Enough hyperbole. Now on to football.
Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals–These teams met in the AFC Title Game twice in the 1980s. The Bengals have been terrible ever since, while the Bills finally have a good team for the first time since Jim Kelly retired. Buffalo has shown a ton of heart in overcoming 18 point deficits or greater in consecutive weeks. They will have a very difficult time even finding a way to trail in this game no matter how hard they fail to try.
Mike Nugent hit a 31 yard field goal in the first quarter for the Bengals and Ryan Lindell answered with a 43 yarder in the second quarter for the Bills to tie the game 3-3. It was that thrilling.
With a little over 3 minutes left in the half Andy Dalton was intercepted, and Scott returned it 43 yards for the touchdown to have the Bills up 10-3. Dalton was then intercepted again, giving the Bills the ball at their own 24. Fred Jackson ripped off gains of 9 and 21, and Ryan Fitzpatrick went deep to Stevie St Johnson for a 44 yard gain to the 2 yard line. Jackson carried it in and a tie game had now been broken open 17-3 Buffalo at the break.
The Bills had overcome adversity but could not handle prosperity. After a touchback, Cedric Benson ran for 5 and then 28 to the Buffalo 47. Andy Dalton went deep to Green for a 40 yard gain. Yet Dalton fired incomplete on 3rd and goal from the 2. Marvin Lewis decided on the field goal as the Bengals were within 17-6.
Later in the third quarter from the Cincy 28, Dalton got the Bengals moving. From the Cincy 44, Dalton hit Green for 9 and Cedric Benson ran for 11. Dalton found Hawkins for 18 and Gresham for the 17 yard score to get the Bengals within 17-13 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter.
Ryan Fitzpatrick after a touchback led the Bills on a time consuming drive, eating up 9 minutes of clock over 17 plays. Yet on 4th and 3 from the 5 with 10 minutes left in regulation, Chan Gailey opted for the field goal as the Bills led 20-13.
After an exchange of punts, the Bengals took over at their own 20 with 8 1/2 minutes left. On 2nd and 4 Dalton went deep to Gresham for 25. Benson gained 14 more. On 3rd and 8 from the Buffalo 33, Dalton found Gresham for 17. On 2nd and goal from the 3, Dalton took it in himself as the 10 play drive resulted in a tie game at 20-20 with 4 minutes left.
Buffalo punted and the Bengals took over at their own 19 with 1:48 left. Dalton found Simpson for 17. On 3rd and 3 from the Cincy 43, Daltons scrambled for just enough. Dalton then found Leonard for 15 with 36 seconds left. Leonard then ran for 14 as Mike Nugent came on for a 43 yard attempt to win it with 4 seconds left. As time expired, the kick was good and the Bengals had the upset. The Bills dropped to 3-1. They are still a much improved team, but everybody who jumped on the bandwagon may just be cautious before putting this team in the Super Bowl just yet. They overcame big deficits in past weeks but blew a big lead in this one. 23-20 Bengals
Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns–These are a pair of below average teams with the potential to get to average with some effort. Somebody has to win this battle of rookie coaches between Mike Munchak and Fritz Shurmur. An exchange of punts had the Browns at their own 47, where Colt McCoy went to Little for a 25 yard gain. Phil Dawson would nail the 48 yard field goal to have the Browns up 3-0.
Dawson went from mild hero to mild goat by kicking the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, rendering Mike Holmgren an unhappy Walrus. Chris Johnson then ran for 25 yards, and on 3rd and 5, Matt Hasselbeck found Hawkins for 18 and Stevens for the 12 yard touchdown to have the Titans up 7-3.
Dawson would add a 51 yard field goal in the second quarter, but on came the Hasselbeck. Holmgren had him in Green Bay and Seattle, but on this day Hasselbeck was on the opposite side of his former boss. Holmgren remained an unhappy Walrus when Hasselbeck needed one play to to hook up with Cook on an 80 yard pass play to have the Titans up 14-6.
With 1:34 left in the half the Titans got the ball back at their own 22. On 2nd and 6 Hasselbeck hit Cook for 13 an Nate Washington on a short pass that went for 57 yards. Hasselbeck hit Williams for the 4 yard touchdown to have the Titans up 21-6 at halftime.
An uneventful second half saw Rob Bironas kick a 39 yard field goal to have the Titans up 24-6. Colt McCoy then threw a 97 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Babineaux, who plays defense for the Titans. The interception return had the Titans up 31-6. Cleveland scored a garbage touchdown put Fritz Shurmur has much more work to do to keep Holmgren from being an unhappy Walrus. As for Mike Munchak, the Titans are beating up on bad teams but still getting quiet wins. 31-13 Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans–Pittsburgh is struggling while Houston is much improved. Yet the Houston defense is still not even close to matching its offense. Mike Tomlin had to be disgusted early on as Steelers defense gave up what may be the longest touchdown drive this season. The Texans took over at their own 5 and Matt Schaub gave the Steelers a heavy dose of Arriun Foster. Schaub hit Owen Daniels for 18 and Foster had gains of 9 and 2. Tate ran for 20. On 3rd and 10 just shy of midfield, Schaub found Daniels for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the 14, Schaub got just enough. Schaub would eventually hit Daneils for the one yard touchdown to finish a back breaking drive of 95 yards, 19 plays, and 11 minutes before Pittsburgh ever saw the ball down 7-0.
In the second quarter Schaub led the Texans from their own 33 to the Pittsburgh 7, but a pair of incompletions ended the 12 play, 5 1/2 minute drive with a Neil Rackers field goal and a 10-0 Texans lead. Controversy lit up the last play of the half. With Pittsburgh attempting a field goal, the kick was blocked and returned 61 yards for a touchdown by Joseph. With the home crowd jubilant, a penalty for an illegal block nullified the score. Joseph recovered the ball with nobody in front of him and did not even need a block. 10-15 yards behind him the only block on the entire play was against Ben Roethlisberger, and it appeared legal. It had no impact on the play, and a fuming Gary Kubiak blasted the officials on the way to the locker rooms as the Texans only led 10-0.
Pittsburgh began the second half at their own 26. On 3rd and 14 from the 32, Roethlisberger found Hines Ward for 19. On 3rd and 6 from the Houston 45, Big Ben hit Brown for 7 and then went deep to Brown for 23 more. On 3rd and 6 from the 11, Roethlisberger scrambled for 8 and Rashaard Mendenhall too kit the final 3 yards to have the Steelers within 10-7 after a 13 play, 74 yard drive that consumed 8 minutes.
Houston punted it back and the Steelers took over at their own 37. Redman got the ball for straight carries for 18, 6, 2, and 5. Mewelde Moore then took it 15 more. Pittsburgh ran it down Houston’s throats until 3rd and 2 at the 9, when Redman was stopped one yard short. On 4th and 1 from the 8, Mike Tomlin played it safe on the road and went with the field goal. This kick was uneventful and the game was tied 10-10 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Houston quickly struck back from their own 15. On 3rd and 6 Schaub found Daniels for 9 and then deep for 30. On the next play Foster broke free for a 42 yard touchdown run as the Texans led 17-10 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
The defenses toughened up on both sides, and a spectacular punt gave the Steelers one last chance with one minute left from their own 1 yard line. An interception return for a touchdown appeared to seal the game but again the Texans had a score called back by a very questionable penalty. Roughing the passer was followed by 12 yard passes to Brown and Redman. From the Pittsburgh 40, Big Ben went deep and was intercepted by Allen at the Houston 11 to finally lock up the game. Gary Kubiak has seen his much improved Texans get to 3-1 while Mike Tomlin is going to have to test his normally hard-nosed team for a resiliency gut check. 17-10 Texans
Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys–The Lions are 3-0 for the first time since 1980, and they are for real. The Cowboys are 2-1, needing 6 field goals to win a hideous game at home last week. Matthew Stafford was intercepted, setting up Dallas at their own 45. Tony Romo hit Bennett for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Detroit 25, Romo went deep to Dez Bryant for the touchdown to put the Cowboys up 7-0. Dallas would miss a golden opportunity to pad the lead when they faced 4th and goal at the one. Jason Garrett went for it and Felix Jones got stuffed.
After a punt in the second quarter the Cowboys got the ball at their own 29. Jones ran for 19 to midfield and Romo then went deep to Robinson for 44 yards down to the 6. Romo hit Bryant for the score to have the Cowboys up 14-0. Another punt had the Cowboys starting just past midfield. On 3rd and 5 Romo found Jason Witten for 14. Last week Bailey kicked 6 field goals, and his first one this week from 41 yards out had the Cowboys up 17-0.
Jason Hanson would finally get the Lions on the board with a 33 yard field goal late in the half, but Dallas countered with Bailey hitting from 35 yards to have the Cowboys up 20-3 at intermission.
A very short second half kickoff was returned by Lissemore 38 yards to the Detroit 46. Romo quickly hit Robinson for 16 and 9 more. A 13 yard pass to Ogletree led to a 1 yard touchdown pass to Witten as the Cowboys were in cruise control up 27-3. What happened the rest of the game will be talked about by fans of both teams for years if not decades to come.
With 10 1/2 minutes to play in the third quarter, Jason Garrett had ROmo kep throwing rather than grind out clock with a 24 point lead. Romo was then intercepted by Carpenter, who returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Just like that the Lions were down 27-10. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter the Cowboys faced 3rd and 2 at the Lions 48. Romo was intercepted again. This time it was Robinson, and he returned it 56 yards for a score. 2 interceptions for touchdowns had the Lions only down 27-17 and Jerry Jones threatening to blow up his 1.2 billion dollar metropolis for the insurance money if the Cowboys blew this game.
Jason Garrett unsurprisingly decided to go to the ground game after a touchback. On 3rd and 3 from the 39, Romo threw incomplete but roughing the passer kept the drive going. From the Detroit 46, Romo went deep Witten for 37 yards. Yet on 2nd and goal from the 7, Romo kept throwing, and on 4th and goal at the 5 Bailey made his third field goal. The Cowboys led 30-17 after three quarters, but the game was far from over.
Matthew Stafford was having a miserable three quarters, but after a touchback he found Brandon Pettigrew for 22 yards and young for 19 more. Stafford then went deep to Calvin Johnson for the 23 yard touchdown as the Lions trailed 30-24 only one minute into the final quarter.
Dallas punted twice and Detroit once, with the Lions taking over midway through the fourth quarter with a short field at the Dallas 47. On 3rd and 1 Williams gained 8. The drive got stopped cold but old reliable Jason Hanson nailed a 51 yarder as the Lions got to within 30-27 with 4 1/2 minutes left.
Romo kept throwing, and was intercepted again. The Lions took over at the Cowboys 40. Stafford went to Johnson for gains of 9 and 16. Jahvid Best ran for 7 and 5 as the Lions had 1st and goal at the 4 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and goal at the 3 Stafford threw incomplete, but defensive holding made it 1st and goal at the 2. Stafford decided to throw a jump ball to his best player, and for some reason Johnson faced single coverage. Johnson is all world, and his acrobatic touchdown grab had the Lions in the lead by 4 with 1:39 to play. With 39 seconds left the Cowboys faced 1st and 10 at the Detroit 45.
A sack of Romo led to 3rd and 20. Romo threw a short pass incomplete to set up 4th and 20 with 11 seconds left. Rather than a Hail Mary or even a deep ball, Romo completed a 7 yard pass to Jones to turn it over on downs. The Lions completed the shocking comeback to get to 4-0 in grand style. The Detroit Lions are for real under Jim Schwartz. As for the Cowboys, Jerry Jones has every right to question why Jason Garrett would be throwing with a 24 point lead in the second half. As for Tony Romo, this was worse than blowing a 14 point road lead in Week 1. Blowing a 24 point lead by giving away 14 points is never acceptable, especially at home. The 2-2 Cowboys will either rally around Romo or throw him under the bus very soon. 34-30 Lions
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles–The 49ers are average enough to win the awful NFC Worst while the preseason Super Bowl contender Eagles are only 1-2 with a battered Michael Vick. David Akers was released by Walrus Lite Andy Reid before the season and came back with the 49ers hoping to beat his old team. He did not get off to a good start from a revenge standpoint, missing a 44 yard field goal. Michael Vick was then intercepted but the 49ers failed to capitalize. From the Philly 24, Vick hit Schmitt for 11, Jeremy Maclin for 19, and Harbor for 12. Brown gained 15 and Civk found Harbor for the 16 yard touchdown as the Eagle sled 7-0.
A less than thrilling second quarter saw Akers hit a 7 yard field goal and Henery respond with a 32 yarder to have the Eagles up 10-3. Philly got the ball back and Vick led them over 10 plays to another 32 yard field goal as the Eagles built a 13-3 lead.
Alex Smith then fumbled and the Eagles recovered at the San Francisco 28 with 1:46 left in the half. Vick hit McCoy for 10 and then for the 5 yard score as the Eagles had a 20-3 halftime lead in a game that was expectedly lopsided.
The misery continued for Akers and the 49ers in the third quarter when Akers had a 44 yarder blocked. The Eagles took over at the Frisco 40 and Vick found Desean Jackson for 19. The drive would stall, but Henery connected from 33 to have the Eagles coasting at 23-3. They would not be coasting for long. Smith went deep to Hunter for 44 yards and then to Morgan for a 30 yard touchdown as the 49ers were only down 23-10.
The 49ers got the ball back at their own 23 and Smith hit Michael Crabtree for 38 yards and Miller for 15. Smith found Vernon Davis for the 9 yard score as the 49ers were only down 23-17 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Vick calmly moved the Eagles from heir own 20 to a 2nd and 7 at the Frisco 10. The drive would stall, but Henery came in for a routine 33 yard field goal to make it a 2 score game and perhaps ice it. Henery missed it, and with 6 1/2 minutes to play the 49ers had life at their own 23.
From the 26, Gore barreled 25 yards. A facemask penalty after a short gain led to 3rd and 7 at the Philly 26. HUnter ran around the end for 14 and Gore took it the final 12 in front of a stunned Philly home crowd. David Akers made the extra point as the 49ers led by a point with 3 minutes left.
From the 20, Vick calmly led the Eagles down the field again. With 2:15 to play, the Eagles faced 2nd and 5 just past midfield. Vick found Jeremy Maclin for 17 yards and field goal range. Yet Maclin coughed it up on the play and the 49ers recovered. With one minute to play it all came down to the 49ers facing 3rd and 1 at the Philly 48. Gore gained 5 yards in front of a shellshocked crowd.
The Eagles were built to win the Super Bowl, and Super Bowl teams do not lose at home after leading 20-3 in the second half. This was a complete meltdown, and Jeffrey Lurie has seen his multi-million dollar spending spree for Walrus Lite result in a stunning 1-3 record. Andy Reid is known for being calm under adversity, and now is time to find out if he can be so again. 24-23 49ers
Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears–The Panthers were expected to be bad while the overrated Bears were considered to be flukes last year. Carolina has seen glimmers of hope under rookie phenom Cam Newton while the Bears are playing down to expectations.
Cam Newton began by leading the Panthers 65 yards in 10 plays over 5 1/2 minutes. The drive stalled in the red zone, but a 29 yard Olindo Mare field goal had Carolina up 3-0.
From the 20, Matt Forte ran for 5 yards and then ripped off a 46 yard run. Marion Barber gained another 10 and Forte added 10 more. Yet 1st and goal at the 7 soon became 4th and goal at the 2. Lovie Smith settled for the field goal and the 3-3 tie. Carolina took over and soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 9. Cam Newton was intercepted by Moore, who returned it 20 yards for the score as the Bears led 10-3.
Newton brought the Panthers back after a touchback. On 3rd and 1 Newton scrambled for 14. Newton then went deep to Steve Smith for 53 yards down to the one. On the opening play of the second quarter, Newton took it in himself to tie the game 10-10.
The new kickoff rule was thought to be the ruination of Devon Hester, but the kickoff still has to go out the back of the end zone for that. Hester took it at the back line and the 73 yard return had the Bears at the Carolina 36. Jay Cutler hit Williams for 5 and Forte ran for a 17 yard touchdown to have the Bears back on top 17-10.
There is no rule regarding punts as there is for kickoffs. The punter needs to understand the rule that announcers have screamed at special teams coaches who have in turned screamed at punters for several years now. Do not kick the ball the Devon Hester. The Panthers did, and Hester took it back 69 yards for the score to have the Bears up 24-10.
Unsportsmanlike conduct on the Bears after the score had the Panthers starting at their own 36. Newton went deep to Smith for 26. and Newton thens crambled for 13 more. Newton hit Jeremy Shockey for 15 and Smith for 9 more. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Newton took it in to have the Panthers back within 24-17.
Chicago punted and the Panthers took over at their own 24. Newton quickly hit Smith for 26 to midfield at the 2 minute warning. Newton then found Stewart for 20 more. On 4th and 1 at the Chicago 21 with 11 seconds in the half, Ron Rivera went for the field goal and Mare connected from 39 as the Panthers trailed 24-20 at halftime.
The defenses stiffened in the third quarter after a wild first half. The Bears faced 4th and 3 at the Carolina 38 and Lovie Smith decided to punt. Newton led the Panthers from their own 8 to the Chicago 22. A touchdown pass to Shockey was nullified by holding. Then a 34 yard field goal try by Mare was blocked. Carolina got the ball back at their own 7 and again Newton moved them. Newton hit Shockey for 26 and a facemask added 15 more. Newton then it Smith for 22. The drive would stall and a 38 yard Mare kick on the first play of the fourth quarter had the Panthers within 24-23.
In the fourth quarter Cutler was intercepted, setting up the Panthers at the Chicago 29. Carolina lsot 5 yards and Kasay missed from 52. The Bears took over at their own 42 with 13 1/2 minutes left in regulation. On 4th and 1 from the Carolina 49, the norally conservative Lovie Smith decided to go for it. Forte gained 4, and then gained 6 and 12. Cutler hit Knox for 10 to the Carolina 15. On 4th and 1 from the 6 Smith went back to being conservative as the 24 yard Robbie Gould field goal had the Bears up 27-23 with 6:45 to play in the game.
The Panthers had one last chance with 1:55 to play with 4th and 10 at the Carolina 43. Newton went deep incomplete. Matte Forte iced the game with a 40 yard run and Marion Barber took it the final 3 yards. The Panthers at 1-3 are much improved under Ron Rivera while the Bears at 2-2 are still a work in progress. As for Devon Hester, he remains the most exciting player in football, although Cam Newton may one day challenge that. He did get the Panthers one more touchdown as time expired but it was not enough. 34-29 Bears
Washington Redskins @ St. Louis Rams–Washington at 2-1 missed a golden opportunity to get to 3-0 by giving up 6 field goals in Dallas last week. The Rams at 0-3 are a mess and Sam Bradford is taking some big hits. A field position game after each team punted twice had the Redskins with a short field at the Rams 47. On 3rd and 7 Rex Grossman found Jabar Gaffney for 17. Tim Hightower ran for 6 and Helu added 9 more. On 3r and 4 from the 6, Grossman hit Santana Moss for the score to have the Redskins up 7-0.
Midway through the second quarter with the Rams facing 3rd and 7 at the Redskins 28, an offensive personal foul led to 3rd and 22. Sam Bradford was then sacked and fumbled, giving the Redskins the ball at the Rams 44. Grossman hit Gaffney for 17 and Ryan Torain ran for 7 and then the final 20 to have the Redskins leading 14-0.
The Redskins began the second half at their own 18. Torain ranf or 2 and 7 and Helu added another 7. Torain then broke off a 39 yard run to the Rams 27. Graham Gano would hit a 38 yard field goal as the Redskins led 17-0.
With 8 1/2 minutes left the Rams got the ball back at their own 40. Bradford hit Pettis for 12 and 8 on 3rd and 4. On 3rd and goal from the 15 Bradford found Stephen Jackson for the touchdown as the Rams were within 7 with 6 minutes left. Grossman was then quickly intercepted, giving the Rams 1st and 10 at the Redskins 19. Penalties and sacks led to 4th and 30, and the Rams punted. They got the ball back with 3 1/2 minutes left at their own 28. On 4th and 13 from the 39 Bradford fired incomplete. Miserable quarterback play by Bradford and Grossman, who combined for barely 300 yards, must concern Mike Shanahan and Steve Spagnuolo. Yet the Redskins got to 3-1 with another hideous win over the 0-4 Rams. 17-10 Redskins
New Orleans Saints @ Jacksonville Jaguars–The Saints offense is clicking on all cylinders while the Jaguars are a below average team that does not see much hope in slowing down the high powered passing attack of the Saints. Drew Brees has won one Super Bowl while Blaine Gabbert has played one game.
After a Jacksonville punt, the Saints took over at their own 38. From just past midfield, Drew Brees hit Graham for 9. Darren Sproles ran for 19 and Brees found Sproles for 9 down to the one. Collins took it in to have the Saints up 7-0.
Late in the quarter the Saints faced 3rd and 11 at their own 3. Brees found Sproles for 14 and thw Saints were on the move again. The second quarter began with the Saints at their own 39, and Brees found Robert Meachem for 25. Mark Ingram gained 8 and Sproles another 15. Brees hit Sproles for 12 and Graham for the one yard score to have the Saints up 14-0.
Blaine Gabbert got the Jaguars moving after a touchback. He hit Thomas for 8 and Hill for 18. On 3rd and 20 from their own 38, a pass to Dillard came up 3 yards shot. Yet a defensive facemask kept the drive going. On 3rd and 7 from the Saints 27, Gabbert hit Lewis for 13 and Zach Miller for the 14 yard score to have the Jaguars within 14-7.
A missed 53 yard field goal by Jon Kasay gave the Jaguars an opportunity that went nowhere. Yet Brees was intercepted by Smith, who returned it 25 yards to the Saints 13 with less than one minute left in the half. 3 Gabbert incompletions meant a field goal, as the Jaguars trailed 14-10 at the break.
The Saints began the second half at their own 20, and Brees found Moore for 16. On 3rd and 4 from the Saints 45, Sproles ran around the end for 21. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the Jaguars 14, Brees was sacked to kill the drive. Kasay it the 38 yarder to have the Saints up 17-10.
The Saints normally play with a high octane circus offense and just enough defense. On this day Drew Brees would go 31 of 44 for 351 yards with one touchdown but two interceptions. It would be the defense that would decide this one. More importantly, Jon Kasay made the difference as a 10 play drive resulted in a 39 yard field goal to have the Saints up 20-10. In the fourth quarter an 11 play drive reached 2nd and goal at the 2 but no more. A short field goal completed the scoring as Jacksonville never got going i the second half. The Jaguars fell to 1-3 as Jack Del Rio saw the hot seat get hotter. Sean Payton has the Saints at 3-1 and looking good enough but not spectacular. 23-10 Saints
Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs–Both of these teams are 0-3, but the Vikings had double digit halftime leads in all three of their losses. The Chiefs lost a pair of games by 34 and 45 points before losing by a field goal last week. Jared Allen is jacked up about facing his old team, but the story here is the quarterbacks. Matt Cassel is being exposed as overrated while Donovan McNabb is perilously close to being benched again, perhaps for the final time.
A 33 yard punt return had the Chiefs starting at the Minnesota 43. The Chiefs actually needed 12 plays and 6 minutes to move the ball only 21 yards. Ryan Succop nailed the 40 yard field goal to have the Chiefs leading the Stupor Bowl 3-0.
From the 20, McNabb finally got going. On 3rd and 3 he hit Vincente Shiancoe for 6 and then again for 14 to midfield. On 1st and 20 from the Vikings 40, Adrian Peterson gained 14, 5, and 7. McNabb then went deep to Aromashodu for the 34 yard touchdown to have the Vikings up 7-3.
In the second quarter the Vikings took over at their own 19 and McNabb moved them forward. A 41 yard pass to Rudolph led to 4th and 3 at the Chiefs 37. Leslie Frazier decided to go for it and McNabb hit Shiancoe for 5. Yet on 3rd and 15 from the 20 McNabb was intercepted and the Chiefs took over at their own 35. Matt Cassel hit Steve Breaston for 42 yards. The drive would stall at the 6, but a field goal had the Chiefs within 7-6 in a game both teams tried to lose.
With 2:22 left in the half the Chiefs took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 4 Cassel found Dwayne Bowe for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Chiefs 48 Cassel hit Colbert for 19. Succop hit the 51 yard field goal as the half expired to have the Chiefs up 9-7. For some reason the second half was played.
After a punt, the Vikings took over with a short field at the Chiefs 46. That led to a 33 yard Ryan Longwell field goal to have the Vikings up 10-9. Ryan Succop then nailed his fourth field goal, a 54 yarder to have the Chiefs back on top 12-10. Somewhere, somebody still cared.
Late in the third quarter with the Cheifs facing 1st and 25 at the Vikings 40, Cassel went deep to Bowe for 28. Yet 2nd and 3 from the 5 resulted in 1 yard in 2 plays and another field goal as the Chiefs led 15-10 after three miserable quarters. Minnesota punted again as the Chiefs began the fourth quarter at their own 41. Cassel hit McCalin for 7 and then went deep to Bowe for a 52 yard touchdown as the Chiefs had a 22-10 lead.
From the Minnesota 30, Percy Harvin took an end around 23 yards. McNabb hit Shiancoe for 13. With 10 minutes left in regulation the Vikings faced 4th and 14 at the Chiefs 37 after McNabb was sacked. Leslie Frazier decided to go for it and McNabb found Bernard Berrian for 20. On 3rd and 1 from the 8 Peterson got the yard and on 3rd and goal from the 1, McNabb took it in. The Vikings needed 8 minutes to do it, but got within 22-17 with 6 minutes left in regulation.
The Vikings got the ball back at their own 15 and McNabb found Shiancoe for 15. Harvin took another end around for 23 yards. With 1:41 to play, everything came down to 4th and 10 at the Chiefs 41. McNabb went deep incomplete and the Chiefs failed to be the worst team in football. Minnesota now has that title as they fell to 0-4 with another close loss. Todd Haley is now the greatest coach in NFL history. 22-17 Chiefs
New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals–The Giants are overachieving while the Cardinals overachieved two years ago and have returned to the frustration that marked their first 125 years. The Giants got the ball first and soon faced 3rd and 15 at their own 12. Eli Manning hit Ahmad Bradshaw for 2 yards, and Bradshaw coughed it up as Tom Coughlin has his first conniption 15 seconds into the game. Yet from the Giants 16, the Cardinals wasted the chance as Kevin Kolb threw incomplete on 3rd and 3 from the 9. Jay Feely faced off against his old team and hit the 27 yarder to have the Cardinals up 3-0. Arizona got the bal back at their own 48 and Kolb led them to 3rd and 6 at the Giants 17. Yet Kolb was sacked by Osi Umenyiora and fumbled to kill another drive. Despite 2 red zone trips the Cardinals only had 3 points.
In the second quarter Kolb led a 16 play, 79 yard drive that ate up a ridiculous 9 1/2 minutes of clock. On 4th and 1 from the Giants 21, Ken Whisenhunt decided to go for it and Kolb found Larry Fitzgerald for 4 yards. Yet on 2nd and 1 from the 8 Kolb fired incomplete. On 3rd and 1 Beanie Wells ran into a Big Blue brick wall and lost a yard. 3 trips to the red zone yielded only a 6-0 lead as Feely connected again.
After a quarter and a half of bad offense, the Giants finally woke up and decided to play football from their own 31. Manning hit Cruz for 13 and bradshaw for 8. On 3rd and 1 Bradshaw gained 3. Manning hit Nicks for a 14 yard gain to the Arizona 30 and again for 12 more. Bradshaw ran for 5 and then the final 13 as the Giants led 7-6 with 3 minutes left in the half.
With 29 seconds left in the half the Giants had the ball at their on 27. Tom COughlin decided not to take a knee, and Manning found Nicks for 22 and Cruz for 26 more. A facemask moved the ball to the Arizona 12 with 13 seconds elft in the half. A pair of incompletions led to a 30 yard Lawrence Tynes field goal as the Giants, despite being thoroughly outplayed much of the half, led 10-6 going to the locker rooms.
Arizona began the second half at their own 22. From the Arizona 42, Kolb went deep to Fitzgerald for a 47 yard gain. Beanie Wells took it in from one yard out to have the Cardinals back in front 13-10. Late in the third quarter after a touchback, Manning was sacked and fumbled. The Cardinals took over at the Giants 5, and Wells ran for 4 and then the final yard to have the Cardinals up 20-10.
The fourth quarter began with the Giants on the move facing 3rd and 5 at the Arizona 38. Manning found Cruz for 13. On 3rd and 3 from the 18, Manning found Mario Manningham for 10. Manning would hit Ballard for a 10 yard connection to the one. On 3rd and goal Brandon Jacobs banged it in to have the Giants within 20-17 with 12 minutes left in the game.
Kolb was then intercepted, setting up the Giants at their own 42. The Giants failed to capitalize. Arizona took over at their own 23. From the 27 Kolb found Fitzgerald for 16. Wells the rumbled 39 yards. Smith ran for 12 and Wells carried the final deuce to have the Cardinals up 27-17 with 5 1/2 minutes to play. After a touchback, Manning brought the Giants back. He hit Nicks for 9, Ballard for 21, Cruz for 20, and back to Nicks for 26. Manning hit Ballard for the 2 yard touchdown to have the Giants back within a field goal with 3:44 to play.
The Giants used their timeouts as everything came down to 3rd and 4 at the Arizona 26. Ken Whisenhunt called a pass play despite the Giants being out of timeouts. Kolb fired incomplete and a bad punt was returned 18 yards as the Giants took over with a short field at the Arizona 48 and over 3 minutes to play. These are the Cardinals. Manning hit Cruz for 19 and Nicks for the 29 yard touchdown as the Giants had the 4 point lead with 21 points in the fourth quarter. These are the Cardinals.
Arizona took over at their own 24 and Kolb took them down the field. With 1:21 left and the Cardinals still with 2 timeouts, a 2nd and 1 at the Giants 29 seemed safe. Kolb was sacked for a 10 yard loss. These are the Cardinals. With 56 seconds left Arizona had 4th and 2. Kolb fired incomplete. The 3-1 Giants are nowhere near as good as their record but at 1-3 the Cardinals might be better than their record. Tm Coughlin was so pleased with the win that he almost smiled. Once again, they beat the Cardinals. 31-27 Giants
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks–The Falcons were 13-3 last year and began this year 1-2. Yet Seattle is very bad team. Jim Mora Jr. coached both of these teams, which means something to somebody somewhere.
Seattle punted and the Falcons began at their own 28. A pair of conversions on 3rd and 1 had the Falcons moving. From the Seattle 46 Rodgers ran for 7 and 11. Matt Ryan hit Roddy White for 26 yards down to the one. Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez for the score to have the Falcons up 7-0. In the second quarter Tarvaris Jackson was intercepted, setting the Falcons up at the Seattle 37. Michael Turner caught a pass for 8, and Ryan scrambled for 8 more. Turner ran the final 21 to have the Falcons up 14-0.
Seattle took over at their own 16. On 3rd and 8 Jackson went deep to Baldwin for 30 and to Sidney Rice for the 52 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks in it down 14-7. The Falcons took over at their own 28 and Ryan hit Turner for 10. On 3rd and 13 Ryan Jones for 29. On 3rd and 7 from the Seattle 33 Ryan found White for 15 and then 16 more. Turner took it in from one yard out to have the Falcons up 21-7 with 3 minutes left in the half. Atlanta got the ball back with 1:43 left at their own 38. On 3rd and 1 Turner gained 5. Atlanta would end up with a 47 yard Matt Bryant field goal to lead the Seahawks 24-7 at the half.
Atlanta began the second half at their own 20 and Ryan immediately went deep to Julio Jones for 45 yards. The drive would stall but Bryant nailed another field goal to have the Falcons up 27-7 only one minute into the second half. Like several other games on this day, a furious comeback was in the works.
Seattle took over at their own 39. On 3rd and 2, Forsett gained 3. Jackson found Baldwin for 20 and Williams for 19 on 3rd and 6. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Jackson hit Williams for the score to get the Seahawks within 27-14. Seattle got the ball back at their own 28 and Jackson quickly hit Marshawn Lynch for 26, Baldwin for 11, and Forsett for 18. Yet from the Atlanta 17, Jackson was intercepted. Atlanta failed to move the ball, and a punt was returned 33 yards to the Atlanta 11. Lynch needed one play to run it in as the Seahawks were down 27-21 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
After a touchback, Ryan led a time consuming, 13 play, 6 1/2 minute drive. From the 30, a 22 yard pass to Tony Gonzalez had the Falcons on the move. The drive would stall, but Bryant hit his third field goal, a 42 yarder to get it back to a 2 score game at 30-21 with 11 1/2 minutes to play.
After the ensuing kickoff was kicked out of bounds, Seattle took over at their own 40. ynch gained 6, and Jackson hit Obomanu for 12 more. Jackson scrambled for 13, and on 3rd and 9 from the Atlanta 28, Jackson hit Baldwin for 16. On 3rd and 6 from the 8, Jackson hit Obomanu for the score. With 8 1/2 minutes left, Seattle was only down by 2 points.
Ryan led a time consuming drive that bled the clock. At the 2 minute warning, Atlanta faced 3rd and 8 at the Seattle 43. Ryan threw incomplete, and on 4th and 8, average non-descript white guy Mike Smith lookalike Mike Smith decided to play it safe and punt. Seattle took over at their own 15 with 1:49 to play needing only a field goal to win it.
Forsett caught a pass for 9 and ran for 8 more. Jackson would hit Baldwin for 13 more and spiked the ball to kill the clock at the Atlanta 45 with 22 seconds left. A critical false start penalty and a short gain led to 4th and 8 at the Atlanta 43 with 13 seconds left. Pete Carolle decided to have Hauschka try a 61 yard field goal. The kick was short, and Atlanta survived the second half scare to win on the road. 30-28 Falcons
Denver Broncos @ Green Bay Packers–This was the Super Bowl that broke a 13 year NFC winning streak. The Packers are again Super Bowl Champions, while Denver is an 0-3 mess. Denver punted and Aaron Rodgers quickly moved the Packers to a 4th and 1 at the Denver 12. Starks got stuffed as Denver held. Kyle Orton then led a 12 play, 78 yard drive from the Denver 13. The drive would stall at the Green Bay 9 yard line, and Matt Prater hit the 27 yard field goal. Denver led 3-0, but after that reality set in and the roof caved in.
On 3rd and 4 from the Packers 27, Rodgers hit Kuhn for 5. Starks carried 16 yards to midfield, and Rodgers then went deep to Jordy Nelson for the score as the Packers led 7-3. Orton was then intercepted by Charles Woodson, who returned it 30 yards for another score as the Packers led 14-3 after the first quarter. Mike McCarthy called a surprised onsides kick that worked, as the Packers took over at their own 47. On 3rd and 3 from the Denver 46 to start the second quarter, Rodgers hit Finley for 9. From the Denver 25 Rodgers found Randall Cobb for 14. Rodgers then scrambled the final 11 yards to have the Packers up 21-3.
Denver took over at their own 31. From the 33, Orton went deep to Brandon Lloyd for 18 and even deeper for 44 more to the 5. Orton hit Eric Decker for the score as the Broncos trailed 21-10. Denver got the ball back at their own 29 and soon faced 1st and 20. On 3rd and 6 Orton hit Willis for 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 45, Orton gained 8. From the 33, Orton went deep to Decker for another touchdown as the Broncos were only down 21-17 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half.
After a touchback, 3rd and 1 at the 29 saw Rodgers get the yard himself at the 2 minute warning. On 2nd and 6 Rodgers hit Greg Jennings for 18, Jones for 14, Starks for 16, and back to Jennings for the 17 yard touchdown as the Packers led 28-17 at halftime.
Green Bay took the second half start after a touchback and Rodgers kept the momentum flowing. He hit Finley and Nelson for a pair of 16 yard gains. On 3rd and 13, Rodgers found Jones for 18. On 3rd and 7 from the Denver 30 Rodgers fired incomplete, but defensive pass interference kept the drive going. On 3rd and 1 at the 12 Kuhn gained 3. Rodgers ran around the end for the 8 yard touchdown to make it 35-17 Packers. Denver’s last chance to make a game of it saw Orton lead Denver from their own 34. On 3rd and 7 from the Packers 26, Orton found Fells, who got hit at the 4 yard line and fumbled it away.
Green Bay soon faced 2nd and 16 at their own 8, but Mike McCarthy kept his foot on the accelerator. Rodgers went deep to Cobb for a 61 yard gain. Rodgers then found Starks for 9. Starks picked up 6 on the ground and Rodgers hit Jones for the 16 yard score to make it a 42-17 Packers blowout.
In the fourth quarter Rodgers was intercepted, his only flaw in a game where he finished 29 of 38 for 408 yard passing and 4 touchdowns. Orton tossed it right back to the Green Bay defense, setting up the Packers at the Denver 46. Rodgers would hit Donald Driver from 8 yards out to make it 49-17. Orton would throw a garbage time touchdown as the Broncos fell to 1-3 and Jon Fox began hearing the calls for Tim Tebow reach epic levels. As for the Packers, they are 4-0 and better than the team who won it all last year. 49-23 Packers
New England Patriots @ Oakland Raiders–In 2001 the Raiders saw themselves knocked out of the playoffs due to the infamy of the Tuck Rule. The entire world knows Tom Brady fumbled that ball. Charles Woodson knocked it loose, and Greg Biekert recovered it. In 2002, the Raiders exacted revenge by pounding Tom Brady into the ground at the Oakland Coliseum. Oakland led 24-6 and won 27-30 in a game that led to New England being knocked out of the playoffs. This is Brady’s first return to Oakland since that game. The Raiders are much improved, but the Evil Empire of Football led by the Evil Hoodie and the pretty boy quarterback will still prevent very tough test. The Raiders will be without Michael Huff and Chris Johnson, but Coach Hue Jackson said they will also be without excuses.
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The Raiders started at their own 40 after the opening kickoff went out of bounds. Jason McFadden hit Denarius Moore for 7, and Darren mcFadden got the 3 for the first down at midfield. Campbell hit McFadden for 15, and on 2nd and 11 Campbell went to Kevin Boss for 23 more at the New England 13. Yet an offensive illegal block killed the drive as the Raiders settled for a 28 yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal and a 3-0 Raiders lead.
After a touchback and offensive holding, the Patriots faced 1st and 20 at their own 10. On 3rd and 9, Brady was sacked for an 11 yard loss. Yet instead of punting the patriots benefited from the play clock having run out for delay of game. Yet even 3rd and 14 was not good enough as the Raiders were also called for a critical personal foul on Richard Seymour. The whistle had blown before Brady was sacked, and while it appeared Seymour was trying to hold Brady upright, it was ruled that he threw him to the ground. He actually let him go and he fell, but Tom Brady is not allowed to be touched in any way. Instead of a punt, the personal foul kept the drive going.
On 2nd and 10 from midfield, a run gained only 3 yards. Again Seymour was called for a personal foul, this time a facemask. While he was emotional against his own team these two penalties killed the Raiders. Ridley took a wildcat snap 15 yards, and Brady hit Wes Welker for a 15 yard touchdown to have the Patriots up 7-3. Campbell moved the Raiders from their own 20 to a 4th and 2 at New England 40. Hue Jackson, who has not been afraid to take chances, decided to punt. Lechler did his job, pinning the Patriots at their own 4 as the opening quarter ended.
Despite Seymour being called for a third penalty for offsides, the Raiders held and got the ball back at their own 12. McFadden instantly broke off a 47 yard run. Campbell scrambled for 17 and then found Kevin Boss for 23 more. McFadden gained 5, and a pair of one yard runs by Michael Bush banged it in to have the Raiders back in the lead 10-7.
Another unnecessary roughness penalty against the Raiders on the ensuing kickoff had the Patriots at their own 36. Brady hit Welker for 24. Illegal contact added 5 more, and Green Ellis picked up 2 and 11. Brady hit Welker for 21 down to the one, and Green Ellis took it in to have the Patriots back in front 14-10.
The Raiders took over at their own 14 and continued to move the ball well on offense. On 3rd and 3 Campbell went deep to Darrius Heyward-Bey for 28 yards just shy of the midstripe. After defensive holding, Bush gained 3 and 7. From the New England 36, Jacoby Ford took an end around 30 yards. Ford has been out since the preseason, and having him back in the lineup added another dimension. Yet on 2nd and goal from the 6, Campbell was intercepted in the end zone. There were no receivers in the area. Despite moving the ball at will, that interception completely changed the complexion of the game.
New England had 2:15 to work with after the touchback. Danny Woodhead gained 12, and Brady hit Chad Johnson and Rob Gronkowski for gains of 15 and 11. Stephen Gostkowski would hit a 44 yard field goal just before the half as the Patriots took a 17-10 lead at the break.
New England got the ball at the 19 to begin the third quarter and on 3rd and 7, Brady hit Welker for 32 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Oakland 37, Green-Ellis gained 4. On the next play Ridley broke through for a 33 yard touchdown as the Raiders now trailed 24-10.
From the Oakland 18, Campbell kept the Raiders moving. McFadden gained 11, and on 3rd and 8 Campbell found Derrick Hagain for 10 and Boss for 20 more. On 3rd and 4 from the Patriots 33, Campbell hit Hagan for just enough. Michael Bush gained 9 and 5. On 2nd and 10 from the 15, Campbell went to Ford, who was taken down as flags flew. Defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal. Yet 10 years after the Tuck Rule, the Raiders still get horrendously bad calls from the officials.
The league conspiracy against Al Davis and the Raiders cannot be proven, but how many bad calls can on team keep getting. In what may be a first, the officials overruled the original call and declared that there was no pass interference. On 3rd and 10, a pass to Bush came up 3 yards short. Hue Jackson opted for the field goal, and Seabass got the Raiders within 24-13. Yet after 15 plays, 8 minutes, and 74 yards, it was a deflating end. The chance to make it a one score game was gone, as New England sought to put it away.
With New England facing 3rd and 6 at their own 24, Brady hit Welker for 19 and 6 as the third quarter ended. The fourht quarter began with Brady going to Welker for 28 to the 8 yard line. Brady would hit Deion Branch for the 4 yard touchdown as the Patriots had an insurmountable 31-13 lead.
From the Oakland 16, Campbell hit McFadden for 26. on 3rd and 8 at the Oakland 44, Campbell hit Heyward-Bey for 13. On 3rd and 12 from the New England 45, it was defensive unnecessary roughness that meant 1st and 10 at the 30. Yet on the next play Campbell was intercepted again, this time by Vince Wilfork. New England took over just shy of midfield.
After an exchange of punts the Raiders were forced to go for it on 4th and 3 at their own 27 with 4 minutes left. Campbell threw incomplete. On 3rd and 7 from the Oakland 23, Ridley ran for 20. Yet Green Ellis gained 1 yard on 2 carries and Ridley gained only 1 more. At the 2 minute warning, the Patriots had 4th and goal at the 1. At this point the Raiders were playing for pride, and Bill Bellichick decided to go for it rather than risk a field goal block. Ridley got stopped, and while the game was out of reach with 1:16 left, the goal line stand prevented a bigger blowout.
This was now garbage time, but the Raiders wanted to make it respectable. From their own 1, Campbell went deep to Heyward-Bey, who somehow caught the ball in double coverage for a 58 yard gain. Campbell then found Bush for 35 more. A 6 yard touchdown to Moore with 28 seconds left completed the scoring as the 2 point conversion and the onsides kick failed.
Despite the loss there were some positives for the Raiders to build on. Brady had his lowest output of the year, going 16 for 30 for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns. Campbell was 25 of 39 for 344 yards and the touchdown at the end of the game but the 2 killer interceptions. The Raiders led the time of possession battle with 33 1/2 minutes. The defense gave up 409 yards of offense, but the offense exploded for 504 yards. The turnovers were the difference, in addition the costly penalties early on. New England improved to 3-1 while the Raiders at 2-2 are not yet a good team, but definitely an improved and improving team. What Hue Jackson is doing is working, although today the Raiders were overmatched. 31-19 Patriots
Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers–30 years ago these teams played one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history as Dan Fouts and Don Strock put on dueling aerial shows. The Chargers led 24-0, fell behind 38-31, and won in overtime 41-38. 17 years ago they met again in the playoffs. Again Miami was at home, and again the Chargers won, overcoming a 21-6 halftime deficit to win 22-21 when Miami missed an easy field goal at the end. Yet this game features the 0-3 Dolphins at the 2-1 Chargers. The Chargers have only beaten a pair of 0-3 teams, but Miami is awful. San Diego struggled against woeful Kansas City while Miami struggles entirely. Tony Sparano is on the chopping block while Norvelous Norv Turner somehow stays in San Diego.
Midway through the opening quarter the Dolphins took over at their own 8. Reggie Bush ran for 4, 16, and 2. After Henne got injured, Moore came in and went deep to Clay for 31 yards to the San Diego 20. On 3rd and goal at the 1 Hilliard took it in as the Dolphins completed the 92 yard, 11 play, 5 1/2 minute drive to lead 7-0.
After a touchback, San Diego struck back quickly. Philip Rivers hit Malcolm Floyd for 15, Mathews for 10, and deep to Vincent Jackson for the 55 yard tying touchdown in a game that was 7-7 after one.
In the second quarter the Chargers got the ball at their own 24 and Rivers went to Jackson for 11 and then deep for 42 more. Ist and goal at the 9 was followed by a personal foul on offense that killed the drive. Novak came in for a 27 yard field goal as the Chargers led 10-7.
With 3 minutes left in the half bess took a Mike Scifres punt 22 yards to the Chargers 40, with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty adding on 15 more. A blown up running play and a sack meant another field goal as Carpenter hit from 41 to tie the game 10-10 just past the 2 minute warning.
After a touchback Rivers hit Mike Tolbert for 6 and 19. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 48 Rivers found Patrick Crayton for just enough. Rivers scrambled for 15 to set up Novak from 48 as the half expired. He connected as the Chargers led 13-10 at halftime.
After a Miami punt, San Diego began the third quarter at their own 46. On 3rd and 15 Rivers hit Brown for 20. On 2nd and 18 from the Miami 47, Rivers went to Mathews for 42. On 3rd and goal at the one Tolbert took it in to have the Chargers up 20-10. With Henne injured, Moore came in and led Miami from their own 20 t a 4th and 2 at the San Diego 19. Tony Sparano went for the field goal and Carpenter connected from 37 as the Dolphins were only down 20-13.
While San Diego did not light up the scoreboard, they did enough. They simply had too much talent for the Dolphins. Rivers moved the Chargers from their own 16 to a 4th and 2 at the Miami 5, consuming 5 1/2 minutes. Novak hit the chip shot to put the Chargers up 23-13.
11 plays later it was the Dolphins back on the board as Carpenter hit a 51 yarder. The Dolphins were only down 23-16 with 11 1/2 minutes to play, but they would get no closer. Rivers would eat up the clock with a 13 play, 7 minute drive. Novak connected from 38 to put the game out of reach. Yes the Chargers have won their games against team that are a combined 1-11, with the only win being against another winless team. Yet they are 3-1, while Miami at 0-4 seems dead in the water, not a good place for football fish. San Diego has won consecutive home games in lackluster but efficient fashion. 26-16 Chargers
New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens is the Sunday night game. Rex Ryan faces off against his old team. The last time these teams played was also a night game. A hideousl ugly defensive struggle was expected, and the Ravens won the slugfest in the Meadowlands 10-9. The Jets defense was gashed last week in Oakland, yet this game could still be a slobberknocker.
Hard hitting defense and special teams was expected, and it began on the opening kickoff as the Ravens fumbled but were lucky to retain possession at their own 13. The Jets were not so lucky after they received a punt and started at their own 10. The first play from scrimmage saw Mark Sanchez get hit by Ed Reed, resulting in a fumble. McClain recovered it and took it 6 yards for the touchdown. Sanchez’s arm was not going forward, as the Ravens led 7-0. The lead lasted 15 seconds as McKnight returned the kickoff 107 yards for the tying score. The new kickoff rule is encouraging more risks, leading to deeper and longer big plays.
Baltimore got the ball back and soon faced 1st and 15 at their own 6. Ray Rice gained 10 and Flacco found Dickson for 8 and a first down. On 3rd and 13 from the 21, Flacco went deep incomplete. Yet Antonio Cromartie, the goat last week, was called for another big defensive pass interference penalty that covered 52 yards. The Jets would hold, but Billy Cundiff hit the 37 yard kick to have the Ravens up 10-7.
The Jets punted and the Ravens took over at their own 41. On 3rd and 8 Flacco hit Rice for 12, Anquon Boldin for 28, and Dickson for 13 more down to the 4. ice took it in from 3 yards out as the Ravens led 17-7 after the opening quarter. The Jets began the second quarter and quickly faced 3rd and 8 at their own 35. Sanchez was again hit and fumbled, and again his arm was not going forward. The Ravens took over at the Jets 23. The failed to move the ball, but Cundiff was good from 38 as the Ravens led 20-7.
The teams exchanged punts, and the Jets took over at their own 18. On 2nd and 9 from the 29, Sanchez was again sacked and again fumbled. This was not instant replay, as Haloti Ngata hit him and Johnson returned the fumble 26 yards for another Ravens touchdown. This time the replay was much closer, but it looked like his arm again was not going forward as the ball went straight up, not forward. A furious Rex Ryan blasted the officials but it was 3 Sanchez fumbles that gave the Ravens 17 points and turned what was expected to be an exciting slugfest into a 27-7 Ravens romp only midway through the second quarter.
With the Ravens in total control and the Jets offense self-destructing, Gang Green stepped up on defense. On 3rd and 11 from the Baltimore 34, Flacco was intercepted by David Harris, who returned it 36 yards for a touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes left in the half. The third defensive touchdown of the half had the Jets within 27-14.
The Jets held on defense and got the ball back with a short field at the Baltimore 46 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. John Connor ran for 13. The Jets fumbled again but retained possession. On 2nd and 15 from the Baltimore 39, Sanchez found Santonio Holmes for 22. The defense held, and Nick Folk came in for a 40 yard field goal try. The kick was good as the Jets were within 27-17 with 2:15 left in the half.
When the Ravens won the Super Bowl 11 years ago, the defense simply asked the offense not to give up points. The defense would handle things. If the offense needed to run 3 times and punt, that was fine. 11 years later, and the defense is still begging the offense to stop squandering big leads. Jon Harbaugh did not want to go into a shell, but a 20 point game was cut in half, and it was not the fault of the defense.
The defense forced another Jets punt to start the third quarter, and the offense took over at their own 12. On 3rd and 9 from the 25, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and company could only watch helplessly as Flacco was sacked again for another fumble. The Jets took over at the Ravens 27. At this point the defense had had enough. If the offense was not going to score, the defense had to do all the work. Sanchez was intercepted by Lardarius Webb, who coasted 73 yards for the third Ravens defensive touchdown and a 34-17 Baltimore lead. To make matters better, the Ravens put their defense back on the field and let their offense watch football.
Flacco, who had misfired on his last 11 passes and finished a miserable 11 for 33, finally had the ball taken out of his hands as he became an expert in handing the ball off the rest of the way. The scoring was done, and the Ravens defense came up after the game t their former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and embraced him with big bear hugs. The Ravens are in sole possession of first place in the AFC North, while the Jets are a mess at 2-2. For the last two weeks on the road, the Jets have seen their defense abused at will. Next week is their third straight road game, at archrival New England. 34-17 Ravens
Indianapolis Colts @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the Monday night game. A few years ago Tony Dungy faced off against his former team and saw his Colts trail 35-14 with 5 minutes left on Monday night. Somehow Peyton Manning pulled off a miracle comeback as the vaunted Tampa Bay defense had a meltdown in a 38-35 classic Colts win. Now Manning is out with his neck injury and the Colts are done. Backup Kerry Collins is out with a concussion and Curtis Painter faces off against a Tampa defense that is still pretty good.
Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the Monday night game. All the pressure was on Painter as the Colts took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 3 Painter hit Dallas Clark for 6. On 3rd and 2 at the Indy 41, Painter found Reggie Wayne for 9 and then Clark for 21. So the idea that the Colts would run the ball on every play was debunked from the start. Adam Vinatieri hit a 45 yard field goal as the Colts led 3-0.
On the next series Painter went back to being despised, as on 3rd and 4 from the Indy 37 he was sacked and fumbled. The Buccaneers took over at the Indy 32. Yet Connor Barth missed a 46 yard field goal to keep the Colts ahead. On the last play of the opening quarter, Josh Freeman found Benn for a 62 yard touchdown pass. Yet an illegal touch on the offense nullified the score. In the second quarter the Bucs had 3rd and 4 at the Indy 38. Freeman fired incomplete and Raheem Morris decided to punt.
A perfect punt pinned the Colts at their own 2. Yet on 2nd and 11 from the one, Aqib Talib was called for defensive holding to give the Colts some breathing room. On 2nd and 3 from the 13, Painter forgot that he was not Peyton Manning or even Kerry Collins. He fired deep to Pierre Garcon for an 87 yard touchdown as the Colts led 10-0 in front of a shocked home crowd. Perhaps fans of the road team were shocked as well
Tampa Bay finally got going from their own 19. On 1st ad 19 from the 10, Freeman went deep to Benn for 43 yards, and this time the catch stood. Blount ran for 8 and Freeman Bount and Williams for a pair of 14 yard gains. On 3rd and 8 from the 12, Freeman hit Parker down to the one, and Freeman took it in himself to have the Buccaneers within 10-7.
Tampa Bay got the ball back with 1:52 left in the half at their own 25. Freeman led them down the field, and with 20 seconds left the Bus faced 3rd and 1 at the Indy 11. Freeman was sacked, and with 4 seconds left Barth came in for a 37 yard field goal. The kick was good, but the Buccaneers were penalized for having 12 men on the field on offense. The half cannot end on a defensive penalty, but it can on an offensive one. So the Bucs did not even get another try as they trailed 10-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter the Buccaneers began at their own 20 and soon faced 3rd and 14 at the Indy 48. Freeman found Williams for 17. The drive stalled, and Barth came in for a 46 yarder. The third time was the charm as the Buccaneers finally tied the game 10-10.
After an exchange of punts, the Colts took over at their own 41. Again Painter forgot he was an NFL quarterback and not the bum he was made out to be. Again Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell forgot to make him hand off on every play. So instead Painter threw a 59 yard touchdown pass to Garcon on the first play from scrimmage to have the Colts back up 17-10. At that point Manning was cut from the team. No, not really.
After a touchback, the Bucs soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. Freeman found Parker for 21. Unnecessary roughness on the next play kept Tampa Bay moving. On 4th and 1 from the Colts 24, Raheem Morris decided to go for it. Johnson gained 8. On 3rd and 7 from the 13, Freeman hit Parker for the score as the teams were tied 17-17 after three quarters. The fourth quarter began with the Colts at their own 34. On 3rd and 4 Painter fired incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. On 3rd and 9 from the Bucs 40 Painter hit Clark for 21. Painter was sacked to kill the drive but Vinatieri came in for the go ahead 43 yarder. It was no good, as the game stayed tied with 12 minutes left in regulation.
With 7 minutes left the Buccaneers took over at their own 40. Blount gained 10. On 3rd and 6, Freeman gained 7. Blount then raced for a 35 yard touchdown, just making the pileon as the Buccaneers led 24-17 with 3:15 to play. Indy went nowhere on their next drive and Jim Caldwell decided to punt and rely on the defense. Indy had all 3 of their timeouts. At the 2 minute warning the Colts were out of timeouts and the Buccaneers faced 3rd and 4 at the Indy 45. Blount got the carry and appeared stopped well short. Yet he powered forward with 4 defenders trying to bring him down. The chains came out, and like in the movie Any Given Sunday, the Buccaneers were an inch short. The clock wound down to 1:15 and Morris decided to go for it. Freeman snuck forward and the clock ran out. Tampa Bay got to 3-1 as the Colts fell to 0-4. Jim Caldwell was so upset he almost made a facial expression. 24-17 Buccaneers
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