HOUSTON 24 – SAN FRANCISCO 21
The bloom is off the rose for the NFL’s sweet heart team the 49ers. They’ve been throttled the past couple weeks and SF still has a long way to go. Coach Singletary switched QBs at half time, and it sparked at 21 point boost. Still, they fell short to an inconsistent Texans team. Vernon Davis is coming alive as an all-pro tight end under this coaching staff by the bay, and late comer Michael Crabtree finally got on the field. Outside of New Orleans it is hard to say who is playoff worthy in the NFC, so the Niners might just make it after all – but they need to win these games. The AFC is a lot more packed with talent, and Houston might just fall short again.
GREEN BAY 31 – CLEVELAND 3
What can be said here? Cleveland is now 63 games under .500 over the past 12 years since returning to the NFL. Let’s look at their offensive leaders for the game – Derek Anderson threw for 99 yards and a TD, Jamal Lewis rushed for 47 yards, and TE Michael Gaines, who came over after week 3 from Chicago had 2 catches for 30 yards. Those were their offensive leaders! The defense allowed almost 250 yards passing, and Ryan Grant alone had almost 150 yards on the ground. This proves the Browns stink on both sides of the ball. Cleveland also allowed 31 unanswered points. Look at it as 31 unanswered punches in a boxing match. Someone throw in the towel.
SAN DIEGO 37 – KANSAS CITY 7
Little big man Darren Sproles had a 58 yard TD reception out of the backfield, and Philip Rivers was back on track, though not overly accurate. This is another team very adept at pummeling lesser competition, (see Philadelphia). However, the big boys usually take the Chargers apart because defensively they are spongy and don’t attack the line of scrimmage that well. Sean Merriman, who appears done, had no sacks once again. His fire is gone. Odd his drop off came so precipitously after he was suspended for steroid use. On the other sideline, the Chiefs are coming apart. Coach Todd Haley is abrasive, and after the game RB Larry Johnson, another hard to like guy, blasted his coach on Twitter. This game might have had some of the most unlikable characters in the NFL: Merriman, Haley, Johnson, the acerbic Philip Rivers, and LaDanian Tomlinson who is a whiner.
INDIANAPOLIS 42 – ST LOUIS 6
This could have been billed the best vs. the worst. Peyton Manning is just tearing up defenses with ease, and seems to be able to sleep in the pocket he is so comfortable there. He has weapons everywhere he looks, and they are playing the crisp, explosive ball that Super Bowl contenders play. Only the Saints are matching this type of football right now. For the Rams poor Steven Jackson is reaching a record – most yards without reaching the end zone. The Rams just stink out loud, and there is no talent on this team. Chris Long might develop some day, as he has 23 tackles coming from the end position, but no sacks. John Lauranitis has been solid, but also has no sacks. This is a team which does not seem to be able to penetrate into its opponent’s backfield.
PITTSBURGH 27 – MINNESOTA 17
Don’t let the score fool ya, the Vikings should have won this game. Turnovers killed the Minny, and Pittsburgh’s defense scored two tds to win the game. Pittsburgh did show the game plan to beat the Vikings defensive line – lots of misdirection and reverses. DE Jared Allen had a great deal of trouble locating the ball carrier, and they ran by him on several plays. Farve played a fantastic game, but interceptions continue to haunt him – though the one that cost them the game was squarely Chester Taylor’s fault. Rothlisberger continues to do just enough, and you have to wonder if news this week that a Nevada judge refused to drop a rape charge against him is affecting his game. Pittsburgh’s special teams are awful and kicker Jeff Reed’s sad attempt at tackling Percy Harvin almost cost them the game. I state it here – there is no way Pittsburgh repeats as champ.
NEW ENGLAND 35 – TAMPA BAY 7
Tampa proved one thing – they stink in both America and England. This was a mismatch from the gun, and the score reflected it. Brady was a little off throwing on the run, but besides that, this wasn’t even close. S Brandon Merriweather has arrived for the Pats, and if he is not in the Pro Bowl this year, he will be for seasons to come. Lawrence Maroney was again marginal, but when you play the Bucs, it does not matter. Think Jon Gruden is glad he is away from this mess? The Bucs have 3 QBs, yet have no one close to a QB. Their pick of Josh Freeman in this year’s draft was a huge reach, and the lack of coaching shows more and more every week. At one point this season, TB could rush a little, now that has evaporated. And one other thing never never NEVER should the Super Bowl be played outside of America. Ever!
NEW YORK JETS 38 – OAKLAND 0
Nothing halts a losing streak like the Raiders. The highlight here was QB Mark Sanchez on TV eating a hot dog near the end of the game. The Jets defense was able to set their offense up brilliantly with two of their four turnovers giving Sanchez the ball at the Oakland 4 thanks to QB JaMarcus Russell. Russell was pulled after going 6 for 11, 61 yards and 2 ints. NFL Guy did a little looking around. When Oakland took JaMarcus with the first overall pick in 2007, most teams had him graded as a 3rd or 4th round talent. The good news for the Raiders this week is that oafish coach Tom Cable will not be charged with assault.
BUFFALO 20 – CAROLINA 9
Carolina continues coming apart at the seams. Jake Delhomme threw 3 interceptions, en route to the team’s four turn over day. Ryan Fitzpatrick played reasonably well, and didn’t turn the ball over, which helped secure the victory. Buffalo, for whatever reason, seems to have given up on the run game. In fact when NFL Guy spoke to his pal Big Mac, we both lamented the lack of running this year. Early season sensation RB Fred Jackson had only 5 carries, for 2 yards. Super power Terrell Owens continues to burn up the field, this time with 3 catches for 27 yards. A really subpar game between two very terrible teams.
DALLAS 37 – ATLANTA 21
Who needs TO when you have Miles Austin? The undrafted super star in the making from Monmouth College is tearing it up, this time 6 catches for 171 yards and 2 tds. But the real story was the Dallas defense, who terrorized Matt Ryan all day. DeMarcus Ware has found his groove again, and had two sacks. However it was NT Jay Ratliff who was the star here. He was too fast, too strong, and just too good for the interior of the Falcon’s line. The inside men had no answer for the NTs of Dallas, and Michael Turner couldn’t get it into gear. The back four of Dallas came alive, but still played spotty. Wade Phillips, despite still making baffling decisions, (like not challenging for an obvious recovered fumble when the game was tight in the fourth quarter), should be commended for his twisting, slanting blitzes which confused the Atlanta line all day.
CINCINNATI 45 – CHICAGO 10
Every phase for the Bengals hit on all cylinders, and Carson Palmer tossed 5 tds. But it was Cedric Benson running buck-wild for 189 yards over the team that released him that was the highlight. So far he is the comeback player of the year, and the Bengals flexed serious muscle. Mike Zimmer is coaching this defense better than he has ever coached, and this appears to be a legit playoff contender right now. Chicago lost the second game against a tough opponent, and is watching its stock drop rapidly. Cincy forced the Bears off of their run first game plan, and did whatever they wanted to in the trenches. This is the type of loss that can wreck a team’s confidence for the season.
ARIZONA 24 – NEW YORK GIANTS 17
After beating up on the bottom feeders, the mouthy Giants have dropped two in a row to legit teams. The Cardinals were able to control the line of scrimmage, and won the turn over battle 2:1. Manning was subpar behind center, and the Cards kept him jumpy all night. It is hard to tell right now if Arizona is getting a lot better, or the Giants are coming apart. NFL Guy thinks it is a bit of both. The biggest surprise for the Cardinals this year is the disappearance of Anquon Boldin when he is on the field. Coughlin must staunch the bleeding for NY, as the Cowboys have come alive again, and might be breathing down their necks very soon.
NEW ORLEANS 46 – MIAMI 34
What a game. And man, what a team the Saints are. Miami came out with everything they had, attacking the Saints offense, and gobbling up turnovers. The Saints played it like champs, settling down, and then proving they just had too much talent. Miami got a little too cock-sure after jumping up by 21 early, and then getting a bit too shell shocked when their opponent came storming back. This Miami team is indicative of a Parcells franchise post-Giants: improved, but still not good enough to go all the way to the Lombardi Trophy. And Fins also allowed 21 points, then gave the Saints another 7 off an interception in the final quadrant. This is the game where the Saints proved to the NFL that they could start slowly, and still rout you. NFL Guy envisions an amazing Super Bowl with the Saints and Colts.
