NFL 2013 Week 6 Recap
One week after Peyton Manning and Tony Romo had a duel for the ages, Tom Brady bested Drew Brees in a thriller of a football game that is already an instant NFL classic. Here is the NFL 2013 Week 6 Wrapup.
New York Giants at Chicago Bears was the Thursday night game. The Giants are an 0-5 mess, but Tom Coughlin teams do not quit. The Bears have dropped consecutive games after a 3-0 start, and this game would tell us if the Bears are who we thought they were.
Turnovers have killed the Giants all season, and Eli Manning has been plagued by interceptions. True to form, Manning was intercepted by Jennings, who returned it 48 yards for a 7-0 Bears lead. Yet the Giants hung tough in this game, and Manning led them 80 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Brandon Jacobs barreled in from 4 yards out as the game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter Jay Cutler led the Bears 86 yards in 10 plays. A 10 yard touchdown to Brandon Marshall had the Bears up 14-7. Yet Manning came back with an 80 yard drive of his own as a 37 yard touchdown to Randle had the game tied 14-14.
Cutler had his turn again, and 80 yards later a 3 yard touchdown to Marshall had the Bears back up 21-14. Chicago would add a 40 yard Robbie Gould field goal before the half to lead 24-14 at the break. In the third quarter Gould tacked on a 52 yarded and it looked like Chicago was pulling away up 27-14.
Yet the Giants kept fighting, as a 91 yard drive took 5 minutes off the clock and culminated with Jacobs crashing on from one yards out as the Giants only trailed by 6 after three quarters.
Still down by 6 with 5 1/2 minutes to play, Manning led the Giants from their own 11. At the two minute warning from the Chicago 32, Manning threw a ball that was high but catchable. It bounced off the receiver’s hands and became Manning’s third interception. The Giants had all of their timeouts, and a 3rd and 7 completion by Cutler was short of the marker. Yet defensive holding meant an automatic first down as the Bears survived against the now 0-6 Giants. 27-21 Bears
Oakland Raiders at (-9) Kansas City Chiefs—Alex Smith was sacked 3 times in the first quarter as neither team could get much offense going. Terrelle Pryor had runs of 26 and 16 but Sebastian Janikowski missed a 51 yard field goal early in the second quarter to keep the game scoreless. With 9 minutes left in the half, Pryor zipped a pass over the middle to speedster Denarius Moore, who raced 39 yards for a touchdown as the Raiders lead the Chiefs 7-0.
The Raiders defense harassed Alex Smith for the first 28 minutes but the 2 minute warning saw a critical mistake. Smith threw incomplete on 3rd and 10 but defensive pass interference on rookie DJ Hayden meant 1st and goal at the 7 for the Chiefs. Jamal Charles took it straight up the gut for the score. Despite being outplayed, the Chiefs tied the game 7-7.
The Chiefs moved right down the field to start the third quarter but inside the Oakland 10 yard line the Chiefs fumbled and ball hawk Charles Woodson recovered for the Raiders to kill the threat. Terrelle Pryor is talented, but he does not observe the play clock. He has taken 3 delay of game penalties in this game. Then he threw an airball off of his back foot that was a gift interception, giving the Chiefs a short field at the Oakland 23 with 4 minutes left in the hid quarter. Penalties killed the Raiders as defensive holding made it 1st and goal Chiefs on the two. Jamal Charles bulls in again as the Chiefs now lead 14-7.
Dennis Allen went to the bag of tricks on special teams, as the Raiders fielded a punt and the return man handed it off to DJ Hayden just before being tackled. Hayden took it 43 yards as the Raiders have excellent field position early in the fourth quarter. Yet Pryor took his fourth delay of game penalty and his 8th sack, four of them by Tamba Ali. The Raider faced 3rd and 48. There are not many plays to call on 3rd and 48 as Pryor threw incomplete.
Turnovers killed the Raiders as an interception set up a Ryan Succop field goal with 4 minutes left to play. Pryor threw another interception that was returned 44 yards for a touchdown to put the final dagger in the Raiders. The Chiefs are now 6-0 for Walrus Lite Andy Reid with the win, their first over Oakland at home since 2006. 24-7 Chiefs
Philadelphia Eagles (-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Michael Vick is out and Nick Foles is in, as Foles leads the Eagles 85 yards. Foles runs it in from 4 yards out to make it 7–0 Eagles. Ryan Lindell hit a 38 yard field goal to get the Buccaneers on the board. Glennon hit Vincent Jackson for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Buccaneers in the second quarter.
Foles came back with a 12 yard touchdown to Desean Jackson to make it 14-10 Eagles. Josh Freeman who? Mike Glennon threw his second touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson, a one yarder to cap a 10 play, 79 yard, 6 minute drive and put the Buccaneers back on top of the Eagles 17-14.
Michael Vick who? Nick Foles was on fire, as a 47 yard touchdown to Riley Cooper has the Eagles back on top 21-17 over the Buccaneers in the third quarter. Tampa Bay then completed a staggering 16 play, 90 yard drive that took 8 minutes off the clock. Naturally, they settled for a 27 yard field goal as Buc Ball remains hideous and the Buccaneers trailed 21-20 with 11 minutes left in regulation. Foles came back and hit Desean Jackson for a 36 yard touchdown to put the Eagles up 28-20 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Foles calmly led a 5 1/2 minute drive that culminated in a 24 yard Alex Henery field goal to lock up the game and keep the Buccaneers winless and pathetic. 31-20 Eagles
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Baltimore Ravens—Eddie Lacy ripped off a 37 yard run and Mason Crosby hit a 49 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Packers. In the second quarter we had a Leon Lett alert in Baltimore. The Packers partially blocked a punt, and it went beyond the line of scrimmage. Instead of getting away from it, one of the Packers tried to pick it up. They failed, and the Ravens fell on it and got to keep possession. With 12 seconds left in the half in his own territory, Joe Flacco was sacked and fumbled. Why he was passing in that situation is anyone’s guess. Mason Crosby hit a 31 yard field goal as the half ended to make it 6-0 Packers.
Crosby hit a 50 yarder in the third quarter to make it 9-0 Packers. The Ravens finally moved to the Green Bay 6 yard line but settled for a 23 yard Justin Tucker field goal to get on the board within 9-3. There was finally an end zone sighting as Aaron Rodgers went deep to Jordy Nelson for a 64 yard touchdown bomb and a 16-3 Packers lead.
Flacco finally led the Ravens down the field 80 yards in 10 plays in 5 1/2 minutes as an 11 yard touchdown to Jones had Baltimore within 16-10 with 11 minutes left in regulation. Rodgers led a 12 play, 72 yard drive that consumed 7 1/2 minutes. A 31 yard Crosby field goal, his fourth of the day, gave the Packers breathing room up 19-10.
Flacco quickly moved the Ravens 90 yards as an 18 yard touchdown to Clark had the Ravens within a deuce at the 2 minute warning. However, the onside kickoff failed and the Packers ran out the clock. 19-17 Packers
Detroit Lions (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns—Matthew Stafford moved the Lions and Fauria took it in from one yard out to make it 7-0 Lions. Brian Hoyer excited Browns fans but then got injured. Yet Brandon Weeden has just thrown a 4 yard touchdown pass to Ogbannaya as the Browns have tied the Bills 7-7. The Browns have won 3 straight for the first time since maybe Otto Graham and Paul Brown.
Weeden would move Cleveland 84 yards in the second quarter, hitting Greg Little for a 1 yard score to put the Browns up 14-7. Billy Cundiff added a 40 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Browns at the half.
Despite having dated a Kardashian, Reggie Bush took a pass from Matthew Stafford for an 18 yard touchdown. Stafford went back to Fauria for a 23 yard touchdown as the Lions have took the lead over the Browns 21-17 with 10 1/2 minutes left in the game.
Trailing 17-7 at halftime and 17-14 after three quarters, Detroit exploded in the fourth to end Cleveland’s winning streak. A 51 yard David Akers field goal put the Lions up 24-17, and Stafford hit Fauria for the third time on the day as the 10 yard touchdown put the game on ice. 31-17 Lions
Carolina Panthers at (-2.5) Minnesota Vikings—This game was played with heavy hearts due to the senseless death of Adrian Peterson’s two year old child. Peterson decided to play, and the football world was praying for his family.
Early on it was Cam Newton leading a 15 play, 62 yard drive that consumed 9 1/2 minutes. Newton hit Steve Smith for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Panthers. In the second quarter Newton led the Panthers 14 plays, 82 yards over 6 1/2 minutes as a 10 yard touchdown pass to Mike Tolbert has Carolina up 14-0 over the listless Vikings. Walsh finally got the Vikings on the board with a 22 yard field goal as Minnesota trailed 14-3 at intermission.
In the third quarter Newton went to LaFell for a 79 yard touchdown as the Panthers led 21-3. Newton then took 6 more minutes off the clock and ran for a 7 yard score as the Panthers led 28-3 over the deflated Vikings. An interception of Matt Cassel set up Tolbert on 3rd and goal from the one for another touchdown to complete the misery for the home team. Minnesota finally got a garbage touchdown long after the outcome was decided. 35-10 Panthers.
St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans (-7) —Sam Bradford threw a 2 yard touchdown to Harkey to make it 7-0 Rams. In the second quarter Greg Zeurlein hit a 42 yarded to make it 10-0 Rams. Matt Schaub completed 7 of his first 8 passes and led the Texans to the Rams 3 yard line but no further as they settled for a 20 yard Bullock field goal to get within 10-3.
Yet Bradford also completed 7 of his first 10 passes as a 10 play, 80 yard drive culminated in Bradford hitting Kendricks for a 2 yard score to make it 17-3 Rams. Bullock would hit a 35 yarded to get the Texans within 17-6.
The Rams turned out the lights in the third quarter. Bradford led the Rams 80 yards in 10 plays in 5 1/2 minutes as a 4 yard touchdown to Quick made it 24-6. The Texans fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Bates returned it 11 yards for another score as the Rams led 31-6.
Four 4 straight weeks Matt Schaub had a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Schaub left the game with an injury and TJ Yates came in. Yates is intercepted by Ogletree and the result is a 98 yard Rams touchdown the other way. For 5 straight weeks the Texans have had interceptions returned for scores, but now critics of Schaub can take a seat. Houston has plenty of other problems as the Rams led 38-6. The Texans got a garbage touchdown but have lost four straight. 38-13 Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers at (-1) New York Jets—A 25 yard Nick Folk field goal had the Jets up 3-0 over the winless Steelers. Shawn Suisham responded with a 46 yarded to tie the game 3-3. So let’s not hold a ticker tape parade for Rex Ryan and the Jets just yet. One week after playing inspired football, the Jets trail at home against winless Pittsburgh 9-3 when Suisham hit 33 and 48 yarders in the second quarter. Folk would add a 39 yarded as the Jets trailed 9-6 at the break.
In the third quarter the end zone was finally reached as Ben Roethlisberger went deep to Emanuel Sanders for a 55 yard touchdown to make it 16-6 Steelers. Pittsburgh tacked on their fourth field goal from 32 yards out as they got their first win of the year. 19-6 Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5) at Buffalo Bills—A 46 yard field goal by Mike Nugent got the Bengals on the board first up 3-0. EJ Manuel is out, but backup Lewis led the Bills down the field. Lewis took it in himself from one yard out to make it 7-3 Bills. Andy Dalton moved the Bengals 83 yards, hitting AJ Green for an 18 yard touchdown as the Bengals lead 10-7 over the Bills.
Dalton led a 98 yard drive as a 20 yard touchdown pass to Bernard put the Bengals up 17-7 in the second quarter. Dan Carpenter hit a 51 yard field goal to get the Bills within 17-10. In the third quarter Dalton hit Jones from 10 yards out to make it 24-10 Bengals. Lewis hit Chandler for a 22 yard touchdown as Buffalo got within 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter.
Lewis just quickly led the Bills 86 yards as a 40 yard touchdown pass to Goodwin tied the Bengals 24-24 with one minute left. In overtime, both teams punted, and Tate returned a punt 29 yards to give the Bengals golden field position at the Buffalo 33. Marvin Lewis played it safe and Mike Nugent come in for the 43 yard field goal to give the Bengals the win. The kick was good and the Bengals have sole possession of first place in the AFC North. 27-24 Bengals, OT
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks—Rob Bironas hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Titans. Russell Wilson led a 12 play, 74 yard drive that took over 6 1/2 minutes off the clock. Despite struggling against a tough Titans defense, Seattle finally got on the board as Marshawn Lynch got in from one yard out to make it 7-3 Seahawks late in the half.
There was a stunning development on the last play of the half. The Seahawks had 3rd and goal at the 4 but only 2 seconds remained. They were lining up for a field goal one week after having a kick blocked and returned for a touchdown. This week the snap was fumbled, and McCourty picked it up for the Titans and raced 88 yards for a touchdown as the Titans lead 10-7 at halftime over a disbelieving home crowd.
In the second half Seattle lined up for more field goal tries as the home crowd held their breath. This time the results were uneventful. The second half was a good old-fashioned bare-fisted defensive slobberknocker on. Stephen Hauschka field goals of 31 and 29 yards put the Seahawks up 13-10 with 10 minutes left in regulation. Marshawn Lynch ran it in for a three yard touchdown.
With 2:18 to play, a 25 yard field goal by Rob Bironas had the Titans only trailing 20-13 at Seattle. Mike Munchak decided to kick deep rather than go onsides. Yet Kearse returns the kick 40 yards to the Seattle 43 anyway.That was it as the Seahawks ran out the clock and survived a tough one to get to 5-1. 20-13 Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos—Would the Broncos defeat the Jaguars 74-0? Only 43 seconds into the game, the Jaguars faced 4th and 4 from their own 26. All they had to do was punt. Instead they gained one yard, and gave Peyton Manning a short field of 27 yards. Manning hit Thomas on 3rd and goal from the 3 to make it 7-0 Broncos. Manning then led the Broncos 95 yards in 12 plays over 6 minutes. A 20 yard touchdown to Wes Welker had the Broncos up 14-0 as 74-0 remains a possibility.
Yet history would not be made on this day. The Jaguars kicked a field goal. They trailed Denver 14-3 early in the second quarter, but 74-0 is out the window. Jacksonville has just kicked another field goal. Forget 74-0. Will the 26.5 point underdog Jaguars give us the biggest upset in NFL history? Either way, Josh Scobee from 30 yards out had the Jaguars only trailing 14-6 with 6 minutes left in the half.
The earth then began shaking in Denver. Peyton Manning has thrown his second interception of the season. It was returned 59 yards for a touchdown with only seconds left in the half. The Jaguars were a failed 2 point conversion from tying the game.
The biggest upset in NFL history was Super Bowl III when the 18 point underdog Jets backed Joe Namath’s guaranteed victory with a 16-7 win over the Colts. Another major upset came in the 1996 season when the 13-3 Broncos hosted the expansion Jaguars in the playoffs. Jacksonville started 4-7 that year and ran the table. They fell behind in that game 12-0 but stunned the home crowd by beating Denver 30-27. John Elway said that was the one game he cried over losing.
Peyton Manning threw his third touchdown pass early in the third quarter, a one yarder to Thomas as Denver now led 21-12 over Jacksonville. Blaine Gabbert is awful, but he is not playing. Chad Henne is a real NFL quarterback, and he just led an 80 yard drive. Maurice Jones-Drew took it in from 5 yards out to get the Jaguars within 21-19. Yet Denver came right back, and Knowshon Moreno ran it in from the 8 to make it 28-19 Broncos.
Knowshon Moreno runs it in again from 3 yards out as Denver creates some distance up 35-19 with only 9 minutes left in regulation. In 1996 Jacksonville shocked Denver 30-27 in the playoffs. The next year in 1997 the Broncos led 21-0, saw Jacksonville get to within 21-17, and then saw Denver restore order and win 42-17 en route to John Elway finally getting his first of two rings for him and the organization.
At the 2 minute warning there are some in Denver who will complain that the Broncos are up by “only” 16. This is the NFL, not college football. Even Jacksonville Jaguars players have pride. They just do not have the talent to match as Denver gets to 6-0 and Jacksonville falls to 0-6. 35-19 win Broncos.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers—Phil Dawson kicked field goals of 35 and 26 for the 49ers, but the Cardinals needed only one play to take the lead. Carson Palmer went to Larry Fitzgerald for a 75 yard touchdown as Arizona led 7-6. Yet a one point lead became a one point deficit has Palmer was sacked in the end zone for a safety to make it 8-7 49ers. With the free kick, Colin Kapernick hit Vernon Davis for a 61 yard touchdown to make it 15-7 49ers.
Arizona needed only 3 plays to go 80 yards as a 15 yard Ellington run had the Cardinals right back within 15-14. Colin Kaepernick and Vernon Davis are still playing pitch and catch as a 35 yard touchdown has the 49ers up 22-14. A 10 yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Malcolm Floyd had the Cardinals within 22-20 as the 2 point conversion to tie it failed.
Kaepernick then led a monster drive, as a staggering 18 plays moved the 49ers 89 yards and consumed over 9 1/2 minutes of clock. Kendall Hunter ran it in from 6 yards out. Although 6 1/2 minutes still remain, the 49ers now led the Cardinals 29-20. The 49ers tacked on a field goal to add insurance. 32-20 49ers
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots—Tom Brady led the Patriots 14 plays, 60 yards in 5 minutes as a 35 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal had the Patriots up 3-0. New Orleans moved right down the field. Drew Brees went to Cadet for a short touchdown pass as the Saints led the Patriots 7-3. Tom Brady then had his turn as defensive pass interference in the end zone set up Shawn Ridley from one yard out as the Patriots retook the lead over the Saints 10-7. Stephen Ridley banged in again from 4 yards out as the Patriots led 17-7 over the unbeaten Saints.
Garrett Hartley hit a 28 yard field goal in the third quarter to get the Saints within 17-10. Robinson then scored from 3 yards out as the Saints and Patriots were now deadlocked 17-17 in the third quarter. Stephen Gostkowski drilled a 54 yard field goal to give the Patriots a 20-17 lead over the Saints. Bill Bellichick at first decided to punt rather than risk field position. Then he changed his mind, and the gamble paid off.
Drew Brees made a very bad decision after failing to call a timeout. About to be sack he throws a duck that is intercepted by the Patriots at the Saints 20 early in the fourth quarter. On 3rd and goal at the 4, a draw play by the Patriots was blown up in the backfield as the Patriots settled for a field goal to lead 23-17 with 9 minutes left.
Brees moved the Saints from their 19 to a 1st and 10 at the Patriots 24 with four minutes left. On 3rd and 20 from the Patriots 34, Brees went deep and threw into double coverage. Kenny Stills comes down with it for the Saints, who now have a 24-23 lead with less than 3 1/2 minutes to play.
On 4th and 6 from their own 24 Bill Bellichick decided to go for it with 2:50 to play rather than trust his defense. Brady threw over the middle and a perfect pass was dropped as the Saints took over on downs. The Saints only got a field goal out of gift field position as the Patriots were only down by 4 with 2:24 to play. Brady had a chance to redeem himself as Brees already did. Brady went for all the marbles on the first play from scrimmage and was intercepted.
Yet the defense held and New England got it back at their 30 with 1:13 left and 0 timeouts. With less than 30 seconds left the Patriots faced 4th and 4 at the Saints 26. The Patriots got the first down and Brady spiked the ball with 10 seconds left at the Saints 17. Brady hit Thomkins with 5 seconds left as the Patriots win a stunner over the when it looked like the game was over. The Saints have been knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten as both teams are 5-1. A potential Super Bowl rematch of this game would be epic. 30-27 Patriots
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys—Tony Romo moved Dallas at the outset. DeMarco Murray ran it in from 5 yards out to make it 7-0 Cowboys. RGIII came right back. On 3rd and goal from the 6, a draw play by RGIII comes up one yard short. Mike Shanahan deicdes not to gamble as the Redskins settle for the field goal to trail 7-3.
Dallas returns a punt for a touchdown. A penalty flag is on the field, but it is for unsportsmanlike conduct on the Washington bench. The touchdown by Harris stands as an 86 yard return to put Dallas up 14-3. Washington tacked on one more field goal as the half ended with the Redskins trailing 14-6.
In the third quarter Kai Forbath hit his third field goal as the Redskins got within 14-9. The ensuing kickoff was returned 90 yards to the red zone, and Tony Romo throws a 15 yard touchdown to Williams in the corner of the end zone to make it 21-9 Cowboys. Washington came right back as Trey Deuces raced for a 45 yard touchdown to get the Redskinswithin 21-16 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter began with Forbath having another field goal try, but this time he was no good as the Redskins still trailed by 5. Dan Bailey added on a 30 yard field goal for Dallas as the Cowboys led 24-16 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Cowboys then got the backbreaker as RGII was sacked and fumbles and the Cowboys recovered at the Washington 3 yard line. Dallas punched it in to lead by 15 with 9 minutes left. RGIII was then intercepted in the end zone, killing a chance for Washington to get back in the game. 31-16 Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers was the Monday night game.
The Chargers jumped offsides on the first play. Chuck Pagano then went straight for the flea flicker, and Andrew Luck hit Reggie Wayne for a 35 yard gain. Adam Vinatieri kicked a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Colts. In the second quarter Philip Rivers led a 12 play, 74 yard, 6 minute drive that ended with him throwing a 22 yard touchdown pass to Allen for a 7-3 Chargers lead.
Rivers then moved the Chargers from their own 8 to the Colts 6, but no further. After 8 minutes, San Diego settled for a 31 yard Vinatieri field goal and a 10-3 lead with 90 seconds left in the half. That was enough time for Luck to move the Colts from their 29 to the San Diego 33. Vinatieri nailed a 50 yarded as the half ended to get the Colts within 10-6.
In the third quarter the Chargers took over after a touchback and Rivers led them to the red zone. Yet again, a game featuring two prolific offenses saw defense take over when it counted. Again the Chargers settled for a 33 yarded from Novak to complete the 6 minute drive and lead 13-6. In the fourth quarter Rivers led a 15 play, 74 yard drive that took over 9 minutes off the clock. Although San Diego again settled for a 34 yard Novak kick, they had a 16-6 lead with 10 minutes left in regulation. Vinatieri hit from 51 yards out to get the Colts back within 16-9 midway through the fourth quarter. At the 2 minute warning, San Diego faced 4th and inches at the Indy 34. Going for it or making a 51 yard field goal would put the game away. Mike McCoy opted for the field goal and Novak drilled it to put the game on ice. 19-9 Chargers
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