THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

NFL 2014 Week 9 Recap

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-9-lessons-learned-29075/

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers was the Thursday night game. A pair of teams playing below their potential faced off knowing a win would get them to .500 and the lead in the anemic NFC South. 26 minutes of terrible football was followed by 2 plays that altered the scoreless game. With 3:30 minutes left in the half, Carolina faced 3rd and 9 at their own 8. Cam Newton was sacked and fumbled, giving the ball to the Saints at the Carolina 4. Mark Ingram ran it in from the 3 to make it 7-0 Saints. New Orleans got it back and faced 3rd and 10 at their own 15 with 1:40 left. Drew Brees found Kenny Stills for 17. With 14 seconds left on 3rd and 17 from the Carolina 33, Brees went to the end zone and got the defensive pass interference call. Bree hit Jimmy Graham from one yard out to make it 14-0 Saints at halftime.

In the third quarter Newton led the Panthers 81 yards. From the Saints 10, Newton rolled out, scrambled and dove just enough to reach the pylon to get the Panthers within 14-7. Brees brought the Saints back 80 yards in 14 plays and 6 minutes. Bree got the final yard himself to make it 21-7 Saints. Late in the third quarter from the Carolina 32, Newton went deep to Jerricho Cotchery for a 47 yard gain. Early in the fourth quarter Carolina had a touchdown overturned on review. Carolina settled for a 31 yard Graham Gano field goal as the Panthers trailed 21-10. Needing a stop, the Carolina defense could not get one. Brees led a 13 play, 80 yard drive that chewed up 7 1/2 minutes off the clock. Mark Ingram ran it in to put the game on ice. 28-10 Saints

San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins — Earlier this week Joe Philbin’s father died. After taking a couple days off, Philbin returned to the team. Football is a game of emotion, and on this day the Dolphins played inspired football for their coach.

Late in the first quarter Ryan Tannehill led a 10 play, 77 yard, 6 minute drive. A 6 yard touchdown pass to Clay made it 7-0 Dolphins. In the second quarter Miller ran it in from the 2 to make it 14-0 Dolphins. Philip Rivers was then intercepted, giving the Dolphins a short field. Caleb Sturgis hit a 26 yard field goal and then tacked on a 25 yarder to make it 20-0 Dolphins. In the third quarter Tannehill hit Ryan Matthews for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 27-0 Dolphins. Rivers was the intercepted again, giving Miami the ball in the red zone. Sturges’s third field goal from 23 made it 30-0 Dolphins. In addition to 3 interceptions, Rivers was then sacked and fumbled, giving Miami the ball at the Chargers 14. One play later Tannehill hit Landry for the touchdown. The defense pitched a shutout as the players one a big one for their coach. 37-0 Dolphins

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals —Jacksonville actually led 3-0 after the first quarter from a  25 yard Josh Scobee field goal. The sluggish Bengals finally got going in the second quarter as a 19 yard touchdown pass from Red Rifle Andy Dalton to Mohammed Sanu made it 7-3 Bengals. Mike Nugent then tacked on a 31 yard field goal. Special teams got into the act as the Bengals blocked a punt for a safety and a 12-3 lead.

In the third quarter Jeremy Hill got in from one yard out to make it 19-3 Bengals. The Jaguars got within 19-10 when Blake Bortles hit Hums for a 40 yard touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter a 31 yard punt return set up the Bengals at the Jacksonville 23. Dalton hit AJ Green for an 18 yard touchdown to maker it 26-10 Bengals. Bottles threw an 18 yard touchdown pass to Hums. The 2 point try failed as the Jaguars trailed 26-16 with 10 minutes left to play. Dalton was then intercepted on 3rd and 8 from his own 25, setting up the Jaguars at the Cincy 7. Robinson ran it in from 5 yards out as the Jaguars only trailed 26-23.

All the momentum the Jaguars had instantly evaporated when Scobee hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. From the 40, one play from scrimmage was all the Bengals needed as Hill raced for a 60 yard touchdown to lock up the win. 33-23 Bengals.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns — Billy Cundiff hit a 49 yard field goal to put the Browns up 3-0. Mike Glennon then had a pass intercepted by Donte Whitner and returned 54 yards to the Tampa Bay 21. The Browns got to the one yard line but went backwards and settled for a 29 yard Cundiff field goal to lead 6-0 in the second quarter. Glenn rebounded with a 24 yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans to make it 7-6 Buccaneers. Murray hit a 40 yard field goal for the Buccaneers but Cundiff then hit his third kick from 43 as the Browns trailed 10-9 at intermission.

In the third quarter the Browns finally reached the end zone as Bryan Hoyer led an 80 yard drive that took 6 minutes and 11 plays. Hoyer hit West for the 2 yard score to make it 16-10 Browns. Late in the third quarter Glennon hit Evans for a 24 yard touchdown to put the Buccaneers up 17-16. Hoyer was intercepted in the fourth quarter but the Buccaneers failed to capitalize. Hoyer came back and threw a 34 yard touchdown to Taylor Gabriel. The 2 point try failed but the Browns led 22-17 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

At the 2 minute warning the Buccaneers faced 2nd and 1 at the Cleveland 37. Needing only one yard with plenty of time, Glennon threw incomplete twice. On 4th and 1, a completed pass was nullified by offensive pass interference. On 4th and 11 Glennon went deep incomplete and the Buccaneers had another ineptitude-generated loss. As for Cleveland, their defense again came through when it mattered most. 22-17 Browns

Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings — While Colt McCoy played very well in an upset road win over Dallas, this game was about the return of Robert Griffin III from injury. RGIII completed all five passes on a 13 play, 62 yard drive that took 8 minutes. Kai Forth hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Redskins. RGIII then threw a 45 yard completion to DeSean Jackson as 91 yards came easily. Alfred Morris raced 14 yards for the score to make it 10-0 Redskins. With Washington in total control, RGIII was intercepted with one minute left in the half at the Washington 46. On 3rd and 6 from the 20, Teddy Bridgewater hit Ford for the touchdown as the Vikings trailed 10-7 at the break.

Consecutive sacks on Griffin in the third quarter altered field position and gave Minnesota the ball at their own 44. Asiata got in from one yard out to make it 14-10 Vikings. Roberts returned the kickoff all the way back to the Washington 44. RGIII threw a 13 yard touchdown pass to Jackson to make it 17-14 Redskins. Washington got it back near midfield and moved to a 2nd and 1 at the Washington 6. A run lost a couple yards and RGIII threw incomplete. Forth hit the 26 yarder to make it 20-14 Redskins. Early in the fourth quarter Asiata ran it in from 7 yards out to cap a 76 yard drive and put the Redskins back on top 21-20. RGIII brought the Redskins back 80 yards. Morris got the 2 yard touchdown run. The 2point try failed but Washington led 26-21 with 9 minutes left in regulation.

Teddy Bridgewater led a 12 play, 73 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. On 3rd and goal at the one with 3 1/2 minutes left, Asiata got in. Asiata also ran in the 2 point conversion to put the Vikings up by 3. With 1:15 left, the Redskins faced 4th and 6 at the Washington 43. Griffin had a receiver open and threw low and incomplete to turn it over on downs. The Redskins got it back with 12 seconds left but Griffin’s Hail Mary was thrown out of bounds. 29-26 Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles at Houston Texans — The big play explosiveness of the Chip kelly offense was on display early as Nick Foles connected with Jeremy Maclin on a 59 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 Eagles. Foles then threw a 51 yard touchdown pass to AJ Bouye, but he plays defense for the Texans. The 7-7 tie had the home crowd fired up. On the last play of the first quarter Foles was sacked and injured. Mark Sanchez came in to start the second quarter and threw an 11 yard touchdown to Matthews to make it 14-7 Eagles. Ryan Fitzpatrick then found Arian Foster for a 56 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14.

In the third quarter Parkey hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 17-14 Eagles. Randy Bullock missed a 39 yard field goal that would have tied the game. The deflated Texans then gave up runs of 14 and 26 to McCoy followed by Polk running for 22 and then the 8 yard touchdown. The stunning collapse on the ground had the Texans down 24-14 after three quarters.

Sanchez then threw an interception, giving the Texans the ball at the Eagles 38 to end the third quarter. From the Eagles 10, Fitzatrick was intercepted by Ryans, but Ryans fumbled it right back on the return. From the 7, Fitzpatrick hit Hopkins for the touchdown to get the Texans within 24-21 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Sanchez then led a killer 15 play, 80 yard drive that took 8 minutes off the clock. On 4th and 1 from the Houston 4 with 4 minutes left, Chip Kelly decided to go for it. Polk got the yard. After a false start, Sanchez hit Maclin for the 8 yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs — Geno Smith has finally been relegated to the bench as Michael Vick gets the start for Rex Ryan’s final 8 games as Jets coach. The Chiefs moved 81 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes as Jamal Charles got in from the one to make it 7-0 Chiefs. Kansas City got it back and Alex Smith threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Anthony Fasano to make it 14-0 Chiefs.

Vick then led a 15 play, 81 yard drive that consumed 9 minutes off the clock. A 3 yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker got the Jets within 14-7. Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards to the Jets 29. On 3rd and 5 from the 12, Smith hit Kelce for the touchdown and the 21-7 Chiefs lead with 44 seconds left in the half. Percy Harvin returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards to the Chiefs 43, allowing Nick Folk to hit the 39 yard field goal and get the Jets within 21-10 at halftime.

In the third quarter Smith led a 75 yard drive that took 16 plays and consumed 8 minutes of time. Yet on 3rd and goal at the one, the entire world knows that pass-happy Walrus Lite Andy Reid is going to throw the ball. Smith threw incomplete. On 4th and goal at the one Reid went with the field goal. Santos hit the 19 yarder. The Chiefs defense clamped down the rest of the way to send the Jets to their 8th straight loss. Vick threw incomplete on fourth and goal at the three, as the Chiefs defense bent but never broke. Vick came back in and again led the Jets two more times inside the Chiefs 30 before turning it over on downs. 24-10 Chiefs.

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys wisely decided not to throw away their entire season as Tony Romo and his two cracked ribs took the week off. Brandon Weeden got the start. Carson Palmer did start and got leveled early on. After being sacked a couple times, Palmer was intercepted by Tyler Pavman, who raced 58 yards down the sideline for a 7-0 Cowboys lead. Dan Bauley added a 52 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Cowboys.

In the second quarter Carson Palmer led a 13 play, 80 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. A 7 yard touchdown pass to Carlson got the Cardinals within 10-7. Palmer hit Brown for an 11 yard touchdown to give the Cardinals the 14-10 lead. On the last play of the half a field goal try by the Cowboys was blocked. Dallas was lucky it dd not go for a touchdown the other way.

With 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Cowboys faced 4th and 1 at the Arizona 34. Jason Garrett decided to go for it and DeMarco Murray ran into a red brick wall. Palmer led the Cardinals to a 3rd and goal at the one. A pass to a wide open Andre Ellington with 6 minutes to play made it 21-10 Cardinals. Weeded was then intercepted, setting up Arizona at the Dallas 28. Another 3rd and goal at the one this time had Grice go up the middle and barely break the plane of the goal to put the game out of reach and get the Cardinals to 7-1 under Bruce Arians. Dallas added a garbage touchdown, but this game was about the Cardinals, especially on defense. 28-17 Cardinals

St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers — In the first quarter Phil Dawson hit a 34 yard field goal for the 49ers and Greg Zuerlein matched him from 37 to make it 3-3 after the first quarter. In the second quarter Austin Davis was intercepted, setting up the 49ers at the Rams 35. On 3rd and 2 Colin Kaepernick went deep to Anquon Boldin for a 27 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 49ers. From midfield, Kaepernick was sacked and fumbled, leading to a 21 yard touchdown pass from Davis to Kenny Britt. On the last play of the half Dawson missed a 55 yard field goal as the teams went to the locker rooms deadlocked 10-10.

Midway through the fourth quarter of this slugfest saw the 49ers shank a 23 yard punt, setting up the Rams at the 49ers 29. Zuerline hit a 39 yard field goal with 5 1/2 minutes left to give the Rams the lead. The Rams got it back but failed to convert on 3rd and 1. The 49ers took over at their own 12 with just over 3 minutes left in regulation. On 3rd and 2 from the 49ers 45, defensive holding at the 2 minute warning kept the 49ers moving. on 3rd and 5 from the Rams 30, defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the 5. Another defensive holding penalty moved the ball to the 2 with 42 seconds left.

With 9 seconds left, the 49ers faced 3rd and goal at the one in an ending that will be talked about forever. The 49ers had plenty of options, timeouts to spare, and an easy field goal if need be. Kaepernick took the quarterback sneak up the middle as the 49ers players celebrated what they thought was the winning touchdown. Amidst the confusion, Kaepernick actually fumbled and the Rams recovered for a touchback in front of a shellshocked home crowd. 13-10 Rams

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots — Episode 16 of one of the greatest football classics of all time featured Peyton Manning and Tom Brady duel in what should be another AFC Title Game preview. In the first quarter the Patriots got on the board first with a 49 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Manning then led the Broncos 80 yards. Ronnie Hillman got in from the one to make it 7-3 Broncos.

In the second quarter Brady thought he had the go-ahead touchdown pass but LaFell dropped it in going to the ground. New England settled for a 29 yard Gostkowski field goal to trail 7-6. Manning was then intercepted by Rob Ninkovich, setting up the Patriots at the Denver 34. Brady fired a 5 yard laser to Julian Edelman for the touchdown and the 13-7 Patriots lead. Edelman had the home crowd in a frenzy when he returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-7 Patriots. Denver missed a chance to get closer when Brandon McManus dunked a 41 yard field goal off the upright no good. Just before the 2 minute warning Denver faced 4th and 6 at the New England 34. John Fox decided to go for it and Manning was sacked. Brady found Shane Vereen for a 5 yard touchdown with 8 seconds left in the half as the Patriots were rolling 27-7.

In the third quarter Manning threw an 18 yard touchdown pass to Julius Thomas to get the Broncos within 27-14. Gostkowski’s third field goal from 45 put the Patriots up 30-14. Manning then had a pass bounce right out of Wes Welker’s hands, get intercepted, and then get returned to the Denver 10 yard line. One play later Brady hit Brandon LaFell for the touchdown to make it 37-14 Patriots. Manning came back and hit Ronnie Hillman for a 15 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 37-21.

Brady led a 14 play, 80 yard, 7 minute drive. Early in the fourth quarter Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for the touchdown and the final score. Manning quickly led Denver back, but on 4th and goal at the 8 a fade route was dropped by Jacob Tamme trying to make a one handed grab.

Manning finished 34 of 57 for 438 yards and two touchdowns, but also two costly interceptions. Brady was 33 of 53 for 323 yards and four touchdown passes with one interception. Julian Edelman was a game-breaker, catching two of Brady’s touchdown passes and returning a punt 84 yards for another score to power the Patriots. 24 unanswered second quarter points meant a 27-7 Patriots halftime lead that was never in peril. 43-21 Patriots

Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks — In 1987, the Raiders had lost 7 straight games before traveling to Seattle. The game was a blowout, but not in the way anyone expected. Bo Jackson ran 91 yards and out of the stadium and later on flattened Brian Bosworth for a 37-14 Raiders win. This is not 1987.

As awful as the Raiders are, Derek Carr continues to impress. Early on he led a 12 play, 50 yard drive that consumed 6 minutes. On 3rd and 8 from the Oakland 47 Carr went at Richard Sherman and hit Rivera for 16 yards. Sebastian Janikowski would hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Raiders. Seattle easily moved 72 yards as Marshawn Lynch ran it in from 3 yards out to make it 7-3. Five days ago rumors had Lynch being traded to the Raiders. He was merely running over them, not for them. Carr was then intercepted by Irvin, who returned it 35 yards for a touchdown and a 14-3 Seahawks lead after the opening quarter.

In the second quarter Carr was intercepted again by Richard Sherman, who returned it 22 yards to the Oakland 18. Steve Hauschka hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 17-3 Seahawks. The Raiders were in full self-destruction mode when they fumbled away the ensuing kickoff. Hauschka missed a 46 yard field goal as both offenses traded punts for most of the rest of the half. With Seattle facing 3rd and 8 from their own 24 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Raiders took a timeout in the hopes of getting the ball back. Instead Russell Wilson hit Ellison for 16 yards. Lynch ran it in from 5 yards out to make it 24-3 Seahawks. A strong kickoff return led to Tony Sparano deciding to go for it on 4th and 7 from the Seattle 45 with 9 seconds left. Carr hit Murray for 13 yards to set up Seabass from 51 yards to end the half. Seabass missed the kick.

The Raiders got a ray of hope early in the third quarter when their special teams blocked a punt for a touchdown to get within 24-10. Later on a 27 yard punt return by Carrie set up the Raiders at the Seattle 30. On 4th and goal at the one Tony Sparano decided to go for it. Carr hit Rivera for the touchdown and the Raiders were only down 24-17 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter. The fourth quarter began with Hauschka hitting from 30 to give the Seahawks some breathing room up 27-17. The Raiders went 3 and out and a 38 yard punt return by Doug Baldwin led to Hauschka’s third field goal from 40 as the Seahawks led 30-17 with 9 1/2 minutes left.

Carr led the Raiders 64 yards and on 3rd and goal from the one, found Rivera for the touchdown. The Raiders only trailed by 6 but they were out of timeouts and only 1:54 remained. It all came down to the onside kick. Seattle recovered the ball. to end the chance of an upset. Oakland at eight games now has its longest losing streak since the 1962 team that started 0-13 before winning the finale. One year later Al Davis showed up and quickly turned the Raiders around. For now, the Raiders remain the only winless team. 30-24 Seahawks

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday night game. After taking last year off, both teams are back to knocking heads. In the first quarter a 25 yard punt return set up the Ravens at the Pittsburgh 35. One play later Joe Flacco went deep to Troy Smith for the 7-0 Ravens lead. In the second quarter from midfield a Ravens fumble was returned by Pittsburgh to the Baltimore 27. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Ben Roethlisberger hit LeVeon Bell to tie the game 7-7. Flacco was then intercepted at the Pittsburgh 40 by James Harrison, who returned it 30 yards to the Baltimore 30. Another short field meant a 19 yard touchdown pass from Big Ben to Bryant to make it 14-7 Steelers.

With 1:49 left in the half Justin Tucker hit a 46 yard field goal to get the Ravens within 14-10. Pittsburgh had plenty of time, and barely needed it. Big Ben went deep t Wheaton for a 47 yard touchdown pass with one minute left. The extra point looked like it was about to be blocked, so the holder Wing tossed a successful pass to Matt Spaeth as the Steelers led 22-10 at halftime.

Early in the fourth quarter Roethlisberger threw a 54 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown to make it 29-10. Yet 14 seconds later the Ravens were within 29-17 when Jacoby Jones returned the kickoff 108 yards for a Baltimore touchdown. Big Ben brought the Steelers back again. On 3rd and 9 from the Baltimore 18, Roethlisberger found Bryant for his fifth touchdown pass. With 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Steelers led 36-17.

Pittsburgh fumbled and gave the Ravens the ball at the Steelers 33. Flacco hit Gillmore for the touchdown to get the Ravens within 36-23. At the 2 minute warning, the Steelers faced 4th and 2 at the Baltimore 33. Mike Tomlin went for it and Roethisberger went deep to Spaeth for his sixth touchdown pass. 43-23 Steelers

Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants is the Monday night game.