THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

NFL 2014 Week 11 Recap

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-11-lessons-learned-and-not-learned-29977/

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins was the Thursday night game. A battle of field goals saw Caleb Sturgis hit from 38 and Dan Carpenter hit from 33 in the first quarter, from 21 in the second quarter, and from 46 to make it 9-3 Bills in the third quarter. After that the Dolphins took over. Ryan Tannehill hit Gibson from 7 yards out to make it 10-9 Dolphins. Kyle Orton was then sacked in the end zone for a safety as the Dolphins led 12-9 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter Tannehill hit Landry for an 8 yard touchdown to lock up the win. A late field goal after Buffalo turned it over on downs completed the scoring. 22-9 Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears — A pair of bad teams faced off as Blair Walsh kicked a 50 yard field goal to get the Vikings on top 3-0. Minnesota got it back and Teddy Bridgewater hit Ellison for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Vikings. In the second quarter Jay Cutler hit Jeffery for a 27 yard touchdown and then went to Brandon Marshall for a 44 yard score as the Bears took a 14-10 lead. In the fourth quarter Cutler led a staggering 16 play, 72 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. A 4 yard touchdown pass to Marshall on 3rd and goal had the Bears up 21-10 with 9 minutes left in regulation. Walsh hit from 26 to get the Vikings within 8 with 4 minutes left. The Vikings got it back at their own 34 just before the 2 minute warning. With 50 seconds to play the Vikings faced 2nd and 3 at the Chicago 29. Bridgewater went for all the marbles and was intercepted in the end zone. Jay Cutler did throw two more interceptions, but his three touchdown passes and 330 yard passing in completing 31 of 43 passes made the difference. 21-13 Bears

Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns — A Ryan switch occurred for the Texans as Fitzpatrick was benched in favor of Mallett. Mallet led the Texans 89 yards in 12 plays and threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to JJ Watt. Watt is all world on defense, and is succeeding at playing iron man football. In the second quarter Bryan Hoyer threw a 32 yard touchdown pass to Hawkins to tie the game 7-7. Mallett hit Graham for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Texans at halftime. Bullock hit from 46 in the third quarter and 37 and 50 in the fourth quarter to ice the game. Mallet was 20 of 30 for 211 yards, two touchdown passes and an interception. Hoyer was 20 of 50 for 330 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 23-7 Texans.

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers — A dreadfully dull game saw the Panthers take 17 plays and 9 minutes to go 83 yards. They settled for a 23 yard Graham Gano field goal to lead 3-0 in the second quarter. The Falcons responded with a 13 play, 64 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. Matt Bryant kicked a 34 yard field goal to tie the game 3-3. Matt Bryant then hit from 42 to put the Falcons up 6-3 at halftime as smelling salts were given to fans in the stands to wake them up.

On the third play of the third quarter the Panthers faced 3rd and 2 from their 28. Newton was intercepted, giving Atlanta the ball at the Carolina 14. The Falcons settled for a 26 yard Bryant field goal to lead 9-3. A shanked 28 yard Carolina punt had the Falcons starting at their own 45. Matt Ryan hit Roddy White for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 16-3 Falcons. Cam Newton hit Kelvin Benjamin for a 22 yard touchdown as the Panthers got within 16-10 with 9 minutes left in regulation. The Panthers got it back and Newton went to Brown for a 47 yard touchdown and a 17–16 Carolina lead with 6 1/2 minutes left.

The Falcons came back and Matt Bryant hit his fourth field goal from 44 yards as the Falcons retook the lead by two just before the 2 minute warning. Carolina came right back and with 1:26 to play Gano had a 46 yard field goal try to give the Panthers the lead. It was no good. Carolina got it back at their own 16 with 22 seconds to play needing a miracle. Three straight hook and ladder passes and several laterals later, the Panthers gave Gano another shot from 63 yards out with one second left. The kick was blocked and the Falcons had the win. 19-17 Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints — Drew Brees led a 14 play, 67 yard drive that took 6 minutes, but the Saints settled for a 31 yard Shane Graham field goal to open the scoring. Red Rifle Andy Dalton countered with a 12 play, 77 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. From the Saints 12, Dalton hit Gresham. Gresham fumbled at the goal line and a mad scramble ensued, but the play was reviewed and called a touchdown to make it 7-3 Bengals.

The Saints got it back and moved from their 20 to 3rd and goal at the one. Mark Ingram got the carry and hit a stone wall. Sean Payton decided to go for it on 4th and goal but Brees’s pass to Lorig lost a yard. Inspired by the goal line stand, in the second quarter Dalton led a 15 play, 94 yard drive that took 7 1/2 minutes. The Bengals moved from their own 2 to 3rd and 1 at the Saints 3. Hill got the carry and lost a yard. On 4th and 2 Jay Gruden took no chances. Mike Nugent hit the 22 yarder to make it 10-3 Bengals with 3 minutes left in the half.

The Bengals got it back and were just trying to run out the clock. With 14 seconds left in the half facing 2nd and 12, Hill got the carry and broke free for a 62 yard gain. The Bengals called timeout with one second left and Nugent hit a 42 yarder to give the Bengals the 13-3 lead heading into the locker rooms.

In the third quarter a shanked 2 yard punt set the Bengals up at midfield. Dalton hit Gresham for a one yard touchdown as the Bengals had the 20-3 lead in front of a stunned home crowd. Bree led a 12 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive. On the first play of the fourth quarter Brees hit Kenny Stills from 9 yards out to get the Saints within 20-10. Dalton brought the Bengals back and hit AJ Green for a 24 yard touchdown to put the game out of reach. 27-10 Bengals.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins — Robert Griffin III is back, and he is playing terrible football. On the first play from scrimmage after a touchback, Griffin threw his first interception to set up Tampa Bay at the Washington 29. A 32 yard Murray field goal made it 3-0 Buccaneers. The Redskins later faced 3rd and 6 from their own 8. Griffin was intercepted again by Banks, who returned it 19 yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 Buccaneers lead.

In the second quarter the Buccaneers fumbled a punt to set up Washington at the Tampa 17. 1st and goal at the 6 soon became 4th and goal at the 29 after consecutive sacks of Griffin. The Redskins missed a field goal. With the Bucs facing 2nd and 20 at there own 27, Josh McCown went deep to Mike Evans for 51 yards. Murray hit from 38 to make it 13-0 Redskins. Despite dominating the entire had, the Bucs had a breakdown just before intermission. RGIII found Helu for a 30 yard touchdown as the Redskins only trailed 13-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter McCown went back to Evans for a 36 yard touchdown to make it 20-7 Buccaneers. They hooked up again in the fourth quarter for a 56 yard touchdown bomb to make it a blowout. 27-7 Buccaneers.

Denver Broncos at St. Louis Rams — Jeff Fisher benched Austin Davis for Shaun Hill. John Fox did not bench Peyton Manning for Brock Osweiler. Yet early on it was the Rams smelling upset. Greg Zuerlein kicked a 37 yard field goal to get the Rams on the board after Hill led them 61 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. The next time the Rams got the ball they needed only one play and 8 seconds. Hill went bombs away to Kenny Britt for a 63 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Rams.

In the second quarter Hill kept Manning off the field for long stretches. An 11 play, 69 yard, 7 minute drive set up Zuerlein from 29 as the Rams led 13-0. For the second week in a row the Broncos slept through much of the first half on the road against a far inferior team. Yet Denver woke up late in the half and Manning hit Emanuel Sanders for a 42 yard touchdown to get the Bacons within 13-7 at the midpoint.

In the third quarter the Rams moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Broncos 4. Hill threw incomplete and the Rams settled for a third field goal from Zuerlein from 22 yards out. The Rams led 16-7 entering the fourth quarter, but the door was not closed shut. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Manning was intercepted at the St. Louis 47. Jeff Fisher decided to have Greg “the Leg” Zuerlein try a 55 yard field goal with 12 minutes left in regulation knowing a miss would give Denver excellent field position. Fisher trusted his kicker and Zuerlein drilled it through to make it 19-7 Rams.

With 5 1/2 minutes left Manning was intercepted again at the Denver 41. Zuerlein drilled his fifth field goal from 53 yards out as the Rams had a stranglehold. Manning finished 34 of 54 for 389 yards and one touchdown, but also two killer interceptions. Shaun Hill was 20 of 29 for 220 yards and one touchdown, but did not throw an interception. 22-7 Rams

San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants — Eli Manning hit Donnell for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Giants. After that Phil Dawson took over. He hit a 31 yard field goal in the first quarter and from 37 and 44 in the second quarter to give the 49ers the 9-7 lead. An interception of Manning set up the third one as the Giants defense kept the 49ers out of the end zone. In the third quarter the 49ers went for the quick strike. Colin Kaepernick found Michael Crabtree for a 48 yard touchdown to make it 16-7 49ers. The Giants got within six on a 43 yard Josh Brown field goal midway through the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter Manning moved the Giants from their 12 to the San Francisco 32. A short pass was then intercepted with 10 minutes left. The Giants got it back at their 35 and with 5 minutes left the Giants had 1st and goal at the 4. Three straight incompletions was followed by Manning’s fourth down pass being ricocheted and intercepted. The Giants got it back at their own 15 with 1:10 to play but turned it over on downs. Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers got to 6-4 by winning ugly with hard-nosed defense while the Giants continued losing with inept offense. 16-10 49ers

Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs — Alex Smith is supposed to be a dink and dunk game manager, and early on he led a mind-numbing 15 play, 86 yard drive that consumed 9 minutes off the clock. Jamal Charles got in from the one to put the Chiefs up 7-0 and make Andy Reid a most happy Walrus Lite. Russell Wilson showed he could put a team to sleep as well with a staggering 16 play, 90 yard drive that also consumed 9 minutes. Wilson hit Doug Baldwin for the 7 yard score to tie the game 7-7 in the second quarter.

Jamal Charles struck again with a 16 yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 Chiefs. Wilson led a 13 play, 76 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive but this time the Chiefs held when it counted. Seattle settled for a 24 yard Steve Hauschka field goal to trail 14-10. Hauschka hit from 27 as well to get the Seahawks within 14-13 at halftime.

In the third quarter Smith kept moving the ball gradually as a 12 play, 67 yard 7 1/2 minute drive. On 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 3, Davis got the carry and lost 2 yards. Santos hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 17-13 Chiefs. Later on Charles fumbled and the Seahawks took over at the Chiefs 44. Wilson hit Moeaki for a 1 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks up 20-17 after three quarters. Kenneth Davis scored from 4 yards out early in the fourth quarter for a four point Chiefs lead.

Russell Wilson moved the Seahawks from their 23 to a 4th and goal at the 2 midway through the fourth quarter. Pete Carroll decided to go for it and Wilson threw incomplete. Seattle got it back at the Kansas City 45 with 6:15 to play. On 4th and 1 from the 36 with 3 1/2 minutes left, Carroll decided to go for it again. Marconi Lynch got the carry, but Beast Mode met Brick Wall Mode as the Chiefs swarmed him in a sea of red. Seattle got it back with 2:47 to play at their own 4 yard line but turned it over on downs. Smith finished 11 of 16 for 108 yards without a touchdown or interception. He wins this week Trent Dilfer award for drinking and dunking West Coast Offense style while the defense gets the win. 24-20 Chiefs

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers — The only winless team at 0-9 went on the road to play an overrated rival that had lost 3 straight. The Raiders began at their own 22. On the first play from scrimmage, Derek Carr fumbled. The Chargers took over at the Oakland 22. 2 plays later Philip Rivers went deep to Malcolm Floyd for the touchdown. Less than one minute into the game and the Chargers led 7-0. While it was tempting to immediately declare the Raiders 0-10, the defense played well for long stretches. Midway through the first quarter Sebastian Janikowski hit a 42 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 7-3. San Diego drove to the Oakland 5 yard line with 4 minutes left in the half but settled for a 23 yard Nick Novak field goal and a 10-3 Chargers lead. For all the jokes about the Raiders, the blunder on the opening play was the only thing separating these teams, who played even football for the next 25 minutes.

After a touchback, Carr quickly moved the Raiders to a 3rd and 1 at their own 44. Darren McFadden got the carry and came up short. With an 0-9 team, Tony Sparano decided to inspire his team on 4th and inches by punting. Before the punt, the 2 minute warning came and gave the Raiders a chance to think it over. Sparano punted anyway as the coach who has only lost this year played not to lose. Naturally this led to uninspired defense although the Raiders dodged a bullet when Novak’s 48 yard field goal try to end the half just missed.

Novak redeemed himself with a 52 yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 13-3 Chargers. The Raiders offense remained boring, stale, predictable and awful as a West Coast Offense dink and dunk pass on 3rd and 5 was dropped by a wide open receiver. Timing patterns are worthless when the receivers have no sense of timing or patterns. With 4 minutes left in regulation and the Raiders facing 3rd and 2 at the San Diego 6, another miscommunication between quarterback and wide receiver meant another field goal. While the defense had played well all game, this is where their exhaustion from being on the field the whole game usually leads to the game losing breakdown.

By the time the Raiders got it back at their own 12, only 1:05 remained. On 4th and 10 Carr’s prayer was answered for a big gain. With 11 seconds left, Derek Carr’s Hail Mary was incomplete. Although two seconds clearly remained on the clock, officials called the game over.  The Raiders are six losses away from permanent infamy. 13-6 Chargers

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals — The 7-2 Lions took on the 8-1 Cardinals. These teams were losers for a long time until winners took over in Jim Caldwell and Bruce Arians. Caldwell is the expressionless quiet man who has built a solid defense while the emotional Arians loves the big strike offense. Carson Palmer is out for the season, but Drew Stanton was ready. Reggie Bush was out, but since he used to date a Kardashian his presence was not missed.

Early on Stanton went deep to Michael Floyd for a 42 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. The Cardinals got it back at their 23 and moved to a 3rd and 10 at the Detroit 12. Stanton went back to Floyd for the touchdown and the 14-0 Cardinals lead. Detroit got to within 14-3 when Matt Prater’s 50 yard field goal try dunked off the upright but went through good. Stanton was intercepted just past the 2 minute warning, setting up Detroit at the Arizona 19. On 4th and 1 from the 10 Caldwell decided not to gamble. Prater hit from 28 to get the Lions within 14-6 at the half. The defense held on for dear life in a scoreless second half. Yes, 9-1 Arizona is for real. No, Jim Caldwell did not allow the big win to lead to him making a facial expression. 14-6 Cardinals

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers — The Packers were wearing their 1929 Great Depression throwback uniforms. Green Bay won a championship that year but nationwide poverty explained the terrible football wear. When Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback, even the most ugly outfits are beautiful. Rodgers went deep to Jordy Nelson for a 64 yard bomb to set up a 27 yard Mason Crosby field goal and a 3-0 Packers lead. Green Bay got it back at their own 12 and 88 yards came easily. Rodgers hit Adams for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Packers. Special teams got into the act as Hyde returned a punt 75 yards for another touchdown and a 17-0 Packers lead.

In the second quarter Chris Parkey hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Eagles on the board. Rodgers came right back with a 27 yard touchdown to Nelson for a 24-3 Packers lead. Green Bay got it back and Rodgers led another 80 yard drive as a one yard Eddie Lacy run made it 30-3 Packers. Parker hit another field goal as the Eagles trailed 30-6 at the half.

Green Bay in the third quarter would add a field goal and Julius Peppers returned an interception 51 yards. The extra point was block for the second missed point after try on the day. Missed extra points and ugly uniforms are all one can criticize when the team scores in all three phases of the game and leads 39-6. Mark Sanchez did not butt-fumble but a bad shotgun snap and an awkward attempt to pick it up turned into another defensive touchdown. Sanchez did not lose this game. It was a beatdown by a team that will probably no have home field advantage, to the relief of the rest of the NFC. 53-20 Packers

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts was the Sunday night game. The focus was on Tom Brady and Andrew Luck, but the game belonged to Jonas Gray. Gray ran it in from 4 yards out to cap an 11 play, 89 yard drive and put the Patriots up 7-0. Adam Vinatieri hit a 31 yard field goal to get the Colts within 7-3. In the second quarter an 11 play, 68 yard drive culminated with Gray running it in from 2 yards out to make it 14-3 Patriots. The drive began when Luck was intercepted at the New England 32. The roles were reversed when Brady was intercepted at his own 23. Luck hit Hakeem Nicks for a 10 yard touchdown with one minute left in the half.

In the third quarter the Patriots moved 80 yards as Gray continued to run hard. A 2 yard touchdown pass from Brady to Wright made it 21-10 Patriots. Vinatieri hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Colts within 21-13. Every time Indy got close, New England responded. Gray’s third touchdown from three yards out capped off a 10 play, 80 yard, five minute drive to make it 28-13 Patriots.

In the fourth quarter it was Luck leading an 11 play, 80 yard, 5 minute drive. Luck hit Castonzo for the one yard touchdown to get the Colts within 28-20. All Brady did was come back again with a 10 play, 80 yard, five minute drive. Gray got his fourth touchdown from one yard out with 8 1/2 minutes left to put the game out of reach. Brady threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski to complete the scoring. Gray finished with 199 yards rushing on 38 carries. 42-20 Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans was the Monday night game. The Steelers got on the board with a 49 yard field goal from Shawn Suisham to open the story. Zac Mettenberger then completed a pass to William Gay, who plays defense for Pittsburgh. Gay returned the interception 28 yards for a touchdown. With the Steelers up 10-0, it seemed that the rout was on.

Tennessee came back as Bishop Sankey ran it in from 9 yards out to get the Titans within 10-7. Ben Roethlisberger led a 14 play, 85 yard, 7 minute drive that got no further than the 5 yard line. Suisham kicked a 23 yarder as the Steelers led 13-7 after the first quarter. In the second quarter the Titans drove deep but could not get past the 3 yard line. Ryan Succor hit a 20 yarder to get the Titans within 13-10.

With 52 seconds left in the half, 2 plays changed the game. With the Steelers facing 3rd and 7 at the Tennessee 17, Roethlisberger was looking to finish off a 7 minute drove that began at the Pittsburgh 13. Big Ben went to the end zone but was intercepted for a touchback. With Mettenberger being a rookie, Ken Whisenhunt was expected to play it safe and go to the locker rooms. Instead Mettenberger went deep to Nate Washington for an 80 yard touchdown. The crowd exploded as the Titans out of nowhere led 17-13 at halftime. The crowd went even wilder in the third quarter when Mettenberger led an 11 play, 77 yard, 5 minute drive. Mettenberger hit Coffman for a 4 yard touchdown for a 24-13 Titans lead.

The Titans couldn’t hold the lead against a superior Pittsburgh team. Roethlisberger moved the Steelers 72 yards. On the first play of the fourth quarter, LeVeon Bell ran it in from 5 yards out to get the Steelers within 24-20. Tennessee went 3 and out and the Steelers got it back at their own 35. Roethlisberger ended up throwing a 12 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown as the Steelers reclaimed the 3 point lead with 9 minutes left in regulation. Tennessee gained one first down but ended up punting again. The Steelers got the ball at their own 19 with 7 minutes left in regulation.

On 3rd and 4, Roethlisberger hit Wheaton for a 6 yard gain. LeVeon Bell did the rest, carrying the ball 7 straight times. Desperately needing a stop, the Tennessee defense could not get one. Bell was a workhorse, gashing the Titans for 204 yards on 33 carries. This was Mike Tomlin Steelers football. Meanwhile, Roethlisberger and Mettenberger are still both not Jewish. 27-24 Steelers

NFL 2014 Week 11 Prequel

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-11-preview-and-bettors-guide-29710/

eric

NFL 2014 Week 10 Recap

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-10-lessons-learned-and-not-learned-29560/

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.

NFL 2014 Week 10 Prequel

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-10-preview-and-bettors-guide-29317/

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