NFL 2014 Week 10 Recap
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Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals was the Thursday night game. These teams met with winning records after November 1st for the first time since 1988. Red Rifle Andy Dalton was intercepted 90 seconds into the game to set up Cleveland at the Cincinnati 18. Brandon Tate ran it in from 4 yards out to make it 7-0 Browns. A fumble by the Browns led to a Bengals field goal, but after that the Cleveland defense clamped down.
In the second quarter Ian Crowell ran it in from two yards out. Billy Cundiff hit a 32 yard field goal to make it 17-3 Browns at halftime. The Dawg pound harassed Dalton all game. West ran it in from one yard out in the third quarter to complete the scoring. Bryan Hoyer had game manager type numbers, going 15 for 23 for 198 yards without a touchdown or interception. Hoyer leads a 6-3 football team that runs hard and plays tenacious defense. Johnny Clipboard will have to wait. As for Dalton, he finished a miserable 10 of 33 for 86 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. 24-3 Browns
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints — The reeling 49ers came to play the rolling Saints. One minute into the game Drew Brees was intercepted, setting up the 49ers at the Saints 19. Frank Gore’s short touchdown run made it 7-0 49ers. San Francisco got it back and continued playing old-school, smash mouth football. Carlos Hyde ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 49ers. Shane Graham then hit a 40 yard field goal to get the Saints on the board.
In the second quarter Brees threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Cooks to get the Saints within 14-10. The 49ers came back as Colin Kaepernick hit Anquon Boldin for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 21-10 49ers. In the third quarter Brees hit Jimmy Graham for an 11 yard touchdown to get the Saints within 21-17.
On the first play of the fourth quarter the Saints faced 4th and 1 at their own 38. Sean Payton has cojones of steel, and he went for it. Brees executed the quarterback sneak and got the first down. The Saints would punt, but they got it back midway through the fourth quarter. With just over 3 minutes to play the Saints faced 4th and 3 at the San Francisco 34. Payton again went for it and a pass from Brees to Colton gained 24 yards. With 1:55 left the Saints faced 3rd and goal at the 2. Brees hit Graham for the score to put the Saints up 24-21.
With 1:22 left the 49ers faced 4th and 10 at their own 22. Kaepernick scrambled around and threw a prayers to a wide open Michael Crabtree for a 51 yard gain. Phil Dawson’s 45 yard field goal was a knuckleball that somehow made it between the uprights with 45 seconds left. With 4 seconds left from the San Francisco 47, Brees threw a Hail Mary of his own. The Saints thought they had the miracle touchdown, but Graham was called for offensive pass interference. Graham clearly pushed off on the play, as the game went to overtime.
The Saints got the ball first and moved from their 20 to 3rd and 1 at the 49ers 43. Brees threw incomplete. On 4th and 1 Payton chose not to go for it. The 49ers took over after a touchback and punted it back. The Saints were pinned at their own 9. With 5 1/2 minutes left in overtime the Saints faced 2nd and 15 from their own 15. Bree was sacked and fumbled. The 49ers took over at the 17 and Harbaugh immediately sent in Dawson on first down. Dawson nailed the kick and the 49ers had the win. 27-24 49ers, OT
Dallas Cowboys at Jacksonville Jaguars in London — Memories of North Dallas 40 resurfaced as 20 Cowboys missed Friday night curfew in London. Dallas thought they were “only” playing the Jaguars, so discipline did not matter. Dan Bailey hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cowboys early on. Punta Robinson broke off a 32 yard touchdown run to make it 7-3 Jaguars. Jacksonville then fumbled a punt, giving Dallas the ball at the Jacksonville 6. On 3rd and goal from the 2 Tony Romo hit Jason Witten for the touchdown and the 10-7 Cowboys lead.
In the second quarter Romo threw a 35 yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant to make it 17-7 Cowboys. Romo connected again with Bryant again as a one play, 12 second drive meant a 68 yard touchdown strike and a 24-7 Cowboys lead at the break. Romo was 16 for 21 for 225 yards passing, three touchdowns and 0 interceptions at halftime. Despite the lead, Jerry Jones instructed Jason Garrett to discipline the players who missed curfew. No, not really.
In the third quarter Joseph Randle broke off a 40 yard touchdown run to make it 31-7 Cowboys. Jacksonville added a couple of garbage time scores before falling to 1-9 before the bored Wembley crowd. 31-17 Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills — A 25 yard touchdown pass from Kyle Orton to Hogan made it 7-0 Bills early on. The Chiefs got within 7-3 on a 36 yard Calo Santos field goal. In the second quarter a Chiefs fumble gave the Bills a short field, leading to a 26 yard Dan Carpenter field goal and a 10-3 Bills lead. In the third quarter, Carpenter hit from 21 to make it 13-3 Bills.
Early in the fourth quarter the Chiefs faced 4th and 1 at the Bills 39. Walrus Lite Andy Reid decided to go for it. In a complete shock, the pass happy coach actually ran the ball. Jamal Charles went all the way for the touchdown to get the Chiefs within 13-10. Later on the Bills fumbled a punt, setting up the Chiefs at the Buffalo 26. Charles gained 18 and Alex Smith ran for the final 8 to put the Chiefs up by 4 with 9 minutes left in regulation.
With 4 1/2 minutes left, the Chiefs appeared to be indeed trouble when Leodis McKelvin returned a punt 23 yards to the Chiefs 25. On 1st and 10 from the 15, Orton threw incomplete 4 straight times as the Chiefs got the tough road win. 17-13 Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets — Ben Roethlisberger is the hottest quarterback in the league, and he came to play the ice cold Jets, losers of eight straight. Early on Big Ben had to wait to see the football. Michael Vick led a 14 play, 72 yard, 8 minute drive. Yet 1st and goal at the 4 could not translate into a touchdown. Nick Folk hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jets. The next time the Jets got it back they needed only one play and 10 seconds as Vick went bombs away to Graham for a 67 yard touchdown and a 10-0 Jets lead. Pittsburgh then fumbled the ball away at their own 20. Amaro ran it in from the 5 to give the Jets the stunning 17-0 early lead. In the second quarter Shawn Suisham hit a 53 yard field goal as the Steelers trailed 17-3 at intermission.
In the third quarter the inevitable Jets collapse was slow to take place as Folk hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 20-3 Jets. The Steelers reached the Jets one yard line in the fourth quarter when a run lost 8 yards. Suisham hit from 27 to get the Steelers within 20-6 midway through the fourth quarter. A successful onside kick was negated by offensive offsides.
At the 2 minute warning the Jets had 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 42. Somehow that turned into 3rd and 46. They punted on 4th and 37 and the Steelers got it back at their own 20 with 90 second to play. One play and 12 seconds later Roethlisberger had an 80 yard touchdown pass to Bryant. The Steelers were within 7 but again the onside kick failed. The Jets executed the kneel-down without a Miracle at the Meadowlands, allowing them to avoid the 9 game losing streak. 20-13 Jets
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens — When Eddie George, Steve McNair and Ray Lewis played, this game was a thriller. They don’t, and this game isn’t. Yet Zach Mettenberger threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Leon Washington to give the Titans the surprising 7-0 lead. In the second quarter Justin Forsett ran for a 9 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. In the third quarter an 11 play, 72 yard, 6 minute drive was capped off by Forsett running for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Ravens. In the fourth quarter Joe Flacco threw a 32 yard touchdown pass to Troy Smith to lock up the win. 21-7 Ravens.
Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions — Matthew Stafford led a 15 play, 72 yard drive that took over 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. Detroit bogged down inside the 10 and settled for a 26 yard Matt Prater field goal to lead 3-0. The next time the Lions got the football they needed only one play and 8 seconds as Stafford went deep to Calvin Megatron Johnson for a 49 yard touchdown and a 10-0 Lions lead. Miami drove deep but bogged down at the 5. A 23 yard Caleb Sturgis field goal had the Dolphins trailing 10-3 at halftime. Sturgis hit from 50 in the third quarter to get the Dolphins within 10-6.
In the third quarter Prater lined up for a 42 yard field goal to extend the Detroit lead. Instead the kick was blocked and returned to the Detroit 3 yard line. One play later Ryan Tannehill hit Mike Wallace for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 13-10 Dolphins. In the fourth quarter Prater tried a 50 yarder. This time he was good and the game was tied 13-13 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
From the Miami 28, Tannehill led a 7 1/2 minute drive that set up 3rd and goal at the 2. Tannehill threw incomplete. Sturgis hit the 20 yarder to make it 16-13 Dolphins. Both teams went 3 and out and the Lions got it back at their own 26 with 3:13 to play. With 1:12 left the Lions faced 3rd and 10 at the Miami 27. Stafford hit Golden Tate for just enough. On 3rd and 4 from the 11 with 36 seconds left, Staford hit Riddick for the winning touchdown. 20-16 Lions
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tampa Bay led a staggering 17 play drive that took over 8 1/2 minutes off the clock, but somehow only moved 47 yards. A 51 yard Murray field goal made it 3-0 Buccaneers. Matt Ryan then led an 11 play, 78 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. Stephen Jackson got in from the one to make it 7-3 Falcons. Matt Bryant added a 37 yard field goal in the second quarter to make it 10-3 Falcons. Josh McCown moved the Buccaneers 86 yards and hit Mike Evans for a 22 yard touchdown as the teams were deadlocked 10-10. Devon Hester returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to the Atlanta 42. Only 36 seconds remained in the half, but that was enough time to allow Bryant to hit from 43 to give the Falcons the 13-10 halftime lead.
In the third quarter Bryant hit from 44 to make it 16-10 Falcons. In the fourth quarter McCown hit Sefarian-Jenkins for a one yard touchdown to make it 17-16 Buccaneers. The Falcons came back as Ryan hit Roddy White for a 5 yard touchdown with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The 2 point conversion succeeded to put the Falcons up 24-17. Tampa Bay went 3 and out and a 30 yard punt gave the Falcons the ball just shy of midfield. A 33 yard field goal by Bryant with 4:15 to play locked up the win for Atlanta. McCown moved the Buccaneers to 1st and goal at the 4 with 1:56 to play but was intercepted for a touchback. McCown was intercepted again to snuff out any rally. 27-17 Falcons.
St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals — One week after a shocking road win where the defense noticed 8 sacks, the Rams took on top rated Arizona. Again Jeff Fisher’s fought hard. In the first quarter Cunningham ran it in from 3 yards out to make it 7-0 Rams. In the second quarter Andre Ellington had his own 3 yard touchdown to tie the game. Catanzaro added a field goal to put the Cardinals up 10-7. Austin Davis hit Jared Cook for a 59 yard touchdown to have the Rams up 14-10 at halftime.
With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Cardinals faced 3rd and 7 Rams 28. Disaster then struck as Palmer went down without being touched. He stayed down and had to be carted off the field. Cardinals fans can only hope the injury is not serious. Catanzaro then missed the 53 yard field goal. The Cardinals got it back at their own 11 and Drew Stanton came in at quarterback. Stanton went deep to Brown for a 48 yard touchdown to give the Cardinals the 17-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The Rams then melted down, with Austin Davis being the main self-destruction culprit. Davis was intercepted twice, with the second one returned 30 yards by Patrick Peterson for the clinching touchdown with just over five minutes to play. Davis was then sacked and fumbled, as Antonio Cromartie returned the fumble 14 yards for the final touchdown. The Cardinals are 8-1, but the injury to Palmer clouded the win. 31-14 Cardinals.
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks — Marshawn Lynch capped off an 80 yard drive by getting in from the one to make it 7-0 Seahawks. Later on Russell Wilson was intercepted, setting up the Giants at the Seattle 24. Eli Manning hit Parker for a 6 yard touchdown to tie the game. In the second quarter an 80 yard drive saw Williams run for the 3 yard score to make it 14-7 Giants. An 85 yard drive by Seattle led to 3rd and goal at the 2. Lynch then got in to tie the game 14-14. Josh Brown hit a 41 yard field goal as the half ended to make it 17-14 Giants. Steve Hauschka connected from 28 in the third quarter to tie the game 17-17.
The fourth quarter was all Seattle. Lynch took it in from 3 yards out to give Seattle the lead. He then ran it in from 16 yards out to put the game away. A 45 yard run by Michael set up a one yard touchdown run by Russell Wilson to complete the scoring. Lynch had 4 touchdowns on 21 carries for 140 yards. 38-17 Seahawks
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders — The Raiders were making dumb decisions before the game even started. Oakland won the coin toss and deferred. Rather than keep Peyton Manning off the field, he was able to start the game. Manning immediately threw an interception, giving Oakland a short field. Sebastian Janikowski hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Raiders. Denver drove deep but bogged down at the 3 yard line. McManus hit from 20 to tie the game 3-3.
In the second quarter McManus hit from 28. Another interception of Manning set up the Raiders at the Denver 12. David Carr threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to give the Raiders the lead. After 26 minutes of football, the Raiders led 10-6. Carr had one touchdown pass and zero interceptions. Manning had zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
With 3 1/2 minutes left in the half, with the Raiders facing 3rd and 2 from their own 40, Carr was intercepted at the Denver 47. On 3rd and 8 just shy of midfield, one play changed the entire game. Manning threw a short pass to Anderson who caught it nowhere near the first down marker. Several mistackles meant a 51 yard touchdown pass and a 13-10 Broncos lead. Denver got it back at their own 38 with 1:40 left in the half. Manning went deep to Emanuel Sanders for a 32 yard touchdown with 30 seconds left in the half. Leading 20-10 at halftime, Denver quickly turned out the lights in the second half.
In the third quarter the Raiders managed to commit a personal foul on a touchback. Then Carr completed a pass to his offensive lineman, who fumbled away the illegal catch. Manning threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Julius Thomas. Midway through the third quarter John Fox decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Oakland 32. Manning went to Thomas again, and the result was another touchdown and a 34-10 Broncos lead.
Another interception of Carr meant another short field. Manning hit Sanders again for a 15 yard touchdown. After three quarters, Manning had five touchdown passes in completing 31 of 44 passes for 340 yards. Derek Carr completed 23 of 40 passes for only 96 yards as Tony Sparano brought back the Dennis Allen dink and dunk West Coast Offense that does nothing but throw two-yard passes followed by punts. The Raiders remained winless as Brock Osweiler played the entire fourth quarter. Last year Manning needed only one half of football to build a 31 point lead. This time he needed three quarters although all the work was done in 19 minutes. The Raiders got their typical garbage time touchdown with 48 seconds remaining. 41-17 Broncos
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers was the Sunday night game. Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdown passes and zero interceptions, and that was only the first half. The last player to accomplish that feat was Darryl “Mad Bomber” Lamonica. Rodgers hit Bostick from one yard out, Quarless from four yards out, Jordy Nelson for bombs of 73 and 40 yards, Eddie Lacy for a 56 yard touchdown, and Randall Cobb for an 18 yard score. The Packers led 42-0 at halftime. In the fourth quarter Jay Cutler had a pass intercepted by Hayward and returned 82 yards for another Packers touchdown. With Rodgers and Cutler both completing passes to players on the Packers, Matt Flynn and Jimmy Clausen finished a game that could spell the end of the Marc Trestman experiment in Chicago. 55-14 Packers
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles was the Monday night game. The question would be whether Mark Sanchez was truly ready for prime time. The answer was that he did not have to be. Carolina fumbled twice on their first three plays to gift the Eagles 10 points as Parkey hit a 39 yard field goal and Darren Sproles ran it in from 8 yards out. Cam Newton led an 11 play, 80 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. Jimmy Stewart got in from the one to get the Panthers within 10-7. After that it was all Eagles.
Darren Sproles returned a punt 65 yards for a 17-7 Eagles lead. In the second quarter Sanchez quickly moved the Jets 91 yards in 10 plays and found Matthews for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 24-7 Eagles. Bradley Fletcher then returned an interception of Cam Newton 31 yards for another touchdown and a 31-7 Eagles lead at the half.