ATLANTA 31 – WASHINGTON 17
Nothing better to stop a losing skid than to play a real bottom feeder. After being knocked around some by Dallas and New Orleans, the Falcons got it back together by pummeling the crumbling Redskins. This game had some of the scariest and craziest moments in recent memory. Scary: Clinton Portis being knocked unconscious; Crazy: Flacons coach Mike Smith in the middle of a sideline brawl with opposing players. The Commish might be speaking to him soon, but that act will make him LOVED by his players. Only had the end result been different would this game have been of any real note outside that. Atlanta did what it had to, and Washington, what we knew it would do.
DALLAS 20 – PHILADELPHIA 16
A minor classic, though not without its flaws – lot of penalties, a bit of undisciplined play at critical times, and some mildly questionable officiating calls. Dallas is building a head of steam, and possess a roster capable of going toe-to-toe with any other team in the league. The defensive lines controlled the tempo, but it was the Cowboys’ defense that eventually tipped the scales. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff owned the middle of the field, disrupting the Eagle’s backfield, as OLB DeMarcus Ware harried McNabb all day. Philly had a heartbreaker when a TD on a punt return was called back due to a hold away from the play, but were able to punch it in the end zone on the drive. Tony Romo was running from defenders, as neither offensive line could pass block that well. In the end the Cowboys left side of the o-line finally used its size to unleash RB Marion Barber as a game ender. This was a lot of fun, and I could write pages more about it.
ARIZONA 41 – CHICAGO 21
Why can’t the Cardinals do this at home? The Bears seemed to have no defensive backfield, allowing 5 TD tosses, or running game – Matt Forte had 33 yards on 5 carries. Once they fell behind, Chicago completely abandoned its ground game, only calling 9 runs all night. The Bears are in trouble now. They’ve lost their last 3 of 4, and the one win was against awful Cleveland. The Windy City is calling for the coach’s head, and now must get ready for a Thursday night game against the inconsistent 49ers. An even greater model of inconsistency is Arizona. They win big on the road, and lose big at home. Kurt Warner bounced from a five interception game against Carolina seven days ago, to a five TD game this week. Next week they are home against a not-so-good Seattle team. The outcome of that game might just point to the direction this team will go this season.
CINCINNATI 17 – BALTIMORE 7
Cincinnati is not only winning games, but the hearts and minds of Ohio football fans. Now some the hardcore Browns fans will never turn, but what about the young fans who love to root for winners, and will be your fan base for the next decades? Last week Baltimore looked dominant, but this week was really slapped around. The Bengals took it right to the teeth of the defense and was able to run the ball very effectively. Cedric Benson has been the missing ingredient, and now this offense is very, very dangerous. Baltimore is another really inconsistent team, and QB Joe Flacco had a difficult game, and is still developing. Carson Palmer played error free ball, and guided his squad to 370 yards, as the defense held RB Ray Rice to just 48 yards. Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s name will be coming up at the end of the season for a head coaching spot.
INDIANAPOLIS 20 – HOUSTON 17
It all comes down to a missed kick! A missed kick which does not bring the game into sudden death overtime, and Indianapolis stays perfect. Houston went down early, but found their mojo and came right back at the Colts’ defense. QBs Manning and Schaub threw for 318 and 311 yards respectively, but it was power running after a catch by Indy RB Joseph Addai putting the Colts ahead for good. This was a game that Houston really needed to win, and a missed kick must just be breaking their hearts. For Indy, next week’s game against the Pats should be a classic.
NEW ENGLAND 27 – MIAMI 17
A very fun game for 3 quarters, until the flaws of Miami were exposed. The Dolphins still lack a true number one receiver, and any deep threat strike ability, despite picking WR Ted Ginn with the 9th overall pick in the 2007 draft. New England was in a tough one here, but Randy Moss was the difference with a touchdown which will be remembered for his explosive stiff arm of future star CB Vontae Davis. It was bizarre to see NT Vince Wilfork out at end, but Belichick loves to do things like this to confuse QBs. The switching to the wildcat player set during the game seemed to also prevent QB Chad Henne from getting into a groove. When he was settled in, he looked like a kid who can play QB in this league. It will be interesting to see what the Pat’s coaching staff will come up with to derail the red-hot Peyton Manning.
TAMPA BAY 38 – GREEN BAY 28
No one saw this one coming, I tell ya. Green Bay might be in a slump after such a high profile game last week, and got lazy. If so that is on the coaching staff, but can be fixed. However, NFL Guy thinks previously winless Bucs outplayed The Pack. Tampa won’t get many more of these, but this one meant a lot to a coaching staff well aware they might not be there next year. But in Wisconsin, it will be how Green Bay responds when the streaking Cowboys come into town for a game that might determine the rest of their season. If they can’t defend their home turf, then things could be falling apart as hated Minnesota takes the division by the beginning of December.
JACKSONVILLE 24 – KANSAS CITY 21
This was part of the NFL’s weekly series this year “Really Awful Football.” Both teams are bottom feeders, but Jacksonville did what it had to – beat a team it was better than. Larry Johnson was waived on Monday, sending the semi-literate Penn State alum to any team who wants to pick up an over-the-hill running back, who has several domestic assault charges on his record, was recently suspended by his team by berating his coach in a hate-filled twitter message, and who has several very loud, ready-to-protest-at-your-stadium special interest groups calling for a yearlong suspension for him. ‘Sides that, he’s yours for free.
SEATTLE 32 – DETROIT 20
Detroit will not improve unless they completely overhaul their defensive backfield. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 329 yards, rallying his team from an early 17 point deficit. Matt Stafford had a rough outing throwing five picks, but did toss 2 TDs, as he continues to learn on the job. Seattle was able to scrape a little dignity for another rough season by beating a team it clearly should. Could Detroit be working on another near record losing streak?
NEW ORLEANS 30 – CAROLINA 20
The Saints are the Fedor Emelianko of the NFL. You can hit them, but they can take it and know they can give it back to you a lot worse. Carolina looks a lot better than they did early on, but the season is quickly slipping away from them. As for the Saints, the talk again begins about the undefeated season. Their defense is not top notched, so NFL Guys thinks they are not the proverbial “perfect team.” But this is a team that can win the Super Bowl this season.
SAN DIEGO 21 – NEW YORK GIANTS 20
A good game, and someone had to lose. Unfortunately for the Giants they were the one, and it’s their fourth loss in a row. New York goes into its bye week now, and the return game against Atlanta will be critical. Can Tom Coughlin right the ship, or will his team come out of their break stunned, angry, and pointing fingers? QB Philip Rivers was really good too, and came through in the clutch. The Giants looked undisciplined, unsure and when the game was on the line, their confidence faded.
TENNESSEE 34 – SAN FRANCISCO 27
Although more talented, the Niners fell on their face again, and a season of promise is now fading into black. The Titans rolled up their second victory in a row, and for the season, with Vince Young taking snaps. RB Chris Johnson is the most dangerous weapon in the NFL and almost no one knows him. San Fran gained 70 more yards than their opponent, but turned it over 4 times. I am still not sure if this is going to be enough to save coach Jeff Fisher’s job at the end of the season.
PITTSBURG 28 – DENVER 10
Nice play by both defenses in the first half, but the Broncos seemed to shut down on both sides of the ball in the second half as the defending champs came alive. RB Rashard Mendenhall took the game over in the second half, and is really about to become a top echelon runner in the league. The Steelers offense had a little trouble getting going, but the adjustments made on the plays and receiver route selections created mismatches that Denver could not handle. The once skyrocketing Broncos have now lost two in a row, and find themselves asking questions about whether they really have a top level team. They are if they can control the clock and do not have to depend on getting large chunks of yards at a time. As for the Steelers, they are in a groove, knocking off two top teams now, and look to show the league they are still the best.
